IT News
Imphal, April 16:
The prevailing situation arising at Koubru Hill out of dictate or in other words interference to the sentiment of the Manipuri sacred site by some vested interested persons has angered many Civil societies of the state.
Manipur Pandit Loishang, a body based at the Palace compound, which has been working for the preservation of Manipuri culture, traditions, and religion has openly warned of serious consequences if those vested interested persons continue with the sentiments of the people.
On the other hand Kangleipak Kanba Lup, Manipur also strongly reacted to the way that some people are playing aggressive politics by hurting the sentiments of the Manipuri people. It lambasted communal politics being provoked to distort the co-existence of peace and harmony in the state by some vested leaders of a particular community.
Haomee, International Meetei Forum, Kabui Union, Manipur, and People’s Action for New Development Steps had strongly reacted to the present crisis at Koubru hill terming as a crime against humanity.
A statement of the four CSOs said that disturbances at Koubru mountain are a crime against humanity and Lord Koubru, an incarnation of Supreme God (Taibang Semba Mapu).
It further added that it makes a hard hit upon the people of Manipur, just like striking on the cortex. As we all know, Meetei people used to adopt Hinduism during the period of King Pamheiba (1709 A.D. to 1748 A.D.), whereas hill people (present people like Naga and Khongsai or Kuki) were baptised into Christianity by William Pettigrew – a missionary of American Baptist Mission. It was started in the year 1894 at Ukhrul (Manipur). Thus, he was successful in preaching Christianity at Ukhrul (specially Tangkhul people) as well as the remote areas of Manipur like chassad (especially Khongsai/Kuki) were baptised into Christianity by William Pettigrew and Mr. Angom Purum Singh, S/O Angom Thambou Singh, of Phayeng Village. Here, Angom Purum Singh was the first man to become a Christian in Manipur.
Even king Bodhachandra (1941 A.D. – 1955 A.D.) who practices Vaishnavism of Hinduism, did not give up following the old religious belief and tradition of the reverent homage to Lord Koubru.
Likewise, the sacred altars of the Koubru mountain are related to the oral traditions of Kapuis, Maos, Marams, Kom, Koirengs, Chiru, Chothe, etc. according to Kapuis belief and traditions, Kapuilu, the head of the Kapuis settled in the Koubru and came to be known as Kapuiluching, later it came to be called as the Koubruchng or Mount Koubru. Thus, Koireng people also inhabited the Koubru mountain and they worshipped Koubru in the belief that they are protected by Lainingthou Koubru. It is also a tradition that those who settled in and around the Koubru mountain chain like Mao, Maram, and other people also worshipped Lord Koubru as a tradition.
So, the preservation and protection of ancient archaeological sites of Lord Koubru under the ancient monument Acts is not related to the new conversion of religion or its new faith, belief, etc.
Thus, any historical sites or monuments having one hundred years old are protected under Manipur ancient and historical monument and archaeological sites and Remain Act, 1976.
Therefore, the state Government should do it according to the rule of law and it should be respected by civilized citizens. In this regard, there is no question of private land, reserved forest, protected forest or encroached areas, etc.
If the present provoking situation is not diffused on time, then there may be worse communal violence in our state.
