Agreement says there will be no restrictions of pilgrimages or worshippers to Mt. Koubru. No particular structure in any basis shall be constructed at the peak which can hurt the sentiments and emotions of any communities
TFM Desk
After a ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ on Mt. Koubru, the state government and Committee on Protection and Preservation of Mt. Koubru (COPPK) on Tuesday inked another agreement on the issue.
With an aim to find an amicable solution over Mt Koubru impasse, the state Government represented by Water Resources and YAS Minister Letpao Haokip and Forest and Environment Minister Awangbou Newmai had a lengthy meeting with representatives of COPPK to resolve Mt. Koubru impasse.
The COPPK was represented by its Chairman Thanglensei Kipgen, General Secretary Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip and Advisor of the committee Tongmang Haokip.
Speaking to mediapersons at Kangpokpi after the meeting, Dr Lamtinthang Haokip said that after discussing for more than three hours with the government representatives, we could finally come to an agreement with four points to be honour by both the parties as well as the people of Manipur.
He said, “We agreed that there will be no restrictions of pilgrimages or worshippers to Mt. Koubru as it was practiced since time immemorial.”
The second point of agreement was to protect and preserve the sacredness and sanctity of Mt Koubru, the traditional and ‘present status’ at Mt Koubru shall maintained in the sense that status quo shall be maintained like before and no particular structure in any basis shall be constructed at the peak which can hurt the sentiments and emotions of any communities.
The third point of agreement was the COPPK and the state Government shall jointly take steps to eradicate the cultivation of Poppy plant.
Dr. Lamtinthang Haokip said that the agreement was made with a view to protect and preserve the ecosystem and biodiversity of Koubru range.
He then urged the state Government to honour the written agreement heart and soul and appeal not to violate again like the gentleman’s agreement earlier.
He also appealed to the people of Manipur to stop spreading rumours and false allegations on Mt. Koubru which can ignite communal hatred and respect the agreement signed with the government.
He said that till status quo at Mt. Koubru was maintained, nothing had happened before. It was when an “intentional approach” to hurt the sentiments and emotions of the local populace was injected, it [Mt. Koubru] has become a bone of contention and contestation which almost flare up in communal issues. He appealed to the people of Manipur to maintain and honour the status quo as agreed to avoid any misunderstanding in future.
It may be recalled that the state Police Department in the presence of two ADGP had a ‘Gentleman’s Agreement with the COPPK, Sadar Hills Chiefs’ Association and civil society organisations of Kangpokpi on April 14 wherein both side agreed to remained silent and cease activities related to Mt Koubru till the issue is resolved on the CM’s table. However, COPPK, SAHILCA and CSOs Kangpokpi accused the government of violating the ‘Gentleman’s Agreement’ on several occasions and condemned the alleged “immature and undemocratic act of the government”.