SEACO urges Govt. to preserve religious places of Meitei

Imphal, July 21; Safeguarding Art and culture, traditions and religion are driving forces in advancement of a society and preserving identity of a community. South East Asia Cultural Organisation in a press release is demanding actions from the N. Biren led government and inclusion of the said matter in the ongoing assembly session.
It is also said that SEACO had already submitted a memorandum containing list of names of religious places (including sylvan deities/ Umanglai) of the Meitei communities to the Chief Minister, Minister of Art and Culture and related authorities, demanding preservation and safeguard under the Historical Monument Act of the govt. on April 28 this year. The press release alleged that the govt. so far has not taken any steps for preservation of the historical, religious and cultural sites.
The press release further appeals the Chief Minister, its Ministers and opposition MLAs to include the matter in the ongoing assembly session and bring out favourable resolution to protect and preserve the threatened culture of the Meitei community by preserving various sites mentioned in the memorandum.
Meanwhile SEACO is appealing to all concerned to stop changing original names of the old deities and trespassing by constructing new place of worships in the premises of existing Meitei sylvan deity’s places(Umanglai).