Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 20 2009:
Reacting to the statements of Chief Minister O Ibobi and MLA E Kunjeshore during the Assembly session on the issue of putting all activities related to Umang Lais (forest deities) under the Govindajee Temple Board, the Umang Lai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL) alleged that the statements smack of a malicious design to subdue the indigenous group worshipping Umang Lais.
E Kunjeshore's reported statement that the Pandit Loishang has been looking after all activities related to Umang Lais since the Govindajee Temple Act was passed in 1972, was a false and misleading one, said Umang Lai Kanba Apunba Lup convenor M Maniton.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club here today, Maniton alleged that Kunjeshore's contention, that followers of Hinduism also took part in Umang Lai functions/rituals, was aimed at dividing people on religious lines.
Claiming that the king of Manipur cannot be removed or installed by the constitution, Maniton asserted that management of Govindajee temple may be handed over to MBC or Wakha Board in case MLA Kunjeshore's assertion that there was no harm in Pandit Loishang looking after activities of Umang Lai holds any ground.
The Chief Minister's statement that the Pandit Loishang has been looking after the activities of Umang Lais for the last 37 years lacked even an iota of truth, he claimed.
The Govindajee Temple Board Act has no provision to interfere in the functioning/activities of Umang Lais.
Even as the Court has repeatedly ruled not to interfere in the functioning of Umang Lai, the Chief Minister is scheming to keep the institution of Umang Lai under Govindajee Temple Board by making amendments to its Act, the Umang Lai Kanba Apunba Lup convenor alleged.