DESAM Thoubal District Council vice-president Lisham Bijoyraj and IPSA asst. information & publicity secretary Okram Amarjit were reportedly arrested for voicing their condemnation of desecration of the flags planted atop Mt Koubru by some miscreants on social media platforms.
TFM Desk
Democratic Students’ Union of Manipur (DESAM) and Indigenous People’s Association of Kangleipak (IPAK), Manipur have condemned the arrest of two activists for voicing against the desecration of the religious flags planted at the sacred place of Mt Koubru, and demanded their immediate release without condition.
DESAM Thoubal District Council vice-president Lisham Bijoyraj and IPSA asst. information & publicity secretary Okram Amarjit (also known as Thoi) were reportedly arrested by Manipur police for voicing their condemnation of desecration of the flags planted atop Mt Koubru by some miscreants on social media platforms.
DESAM in a release on Monday warned of agitations if the activists are not released without any condition.
The student body said that it was unfortunate that the religious flags planted by the pilgrims were desecrated by some miscreants disregarding the sentiments of the people. Flag codes are maintained and it is well respected the world over. But the Manipur police failed to apprehend those responsible for desecrating the flags. Instead they are arresting those voicing against the act, it added.
In the past there have been incidents of desecrating the sacred Mt Koubru, obstruction to building of a temple and obstruction to the way to Mt Koubru. Recently in view of such obstruction many including leaders of the land took out a pilgrimage and planted those flags. So naturally they cannot remain silent when the flags are desecrated, DESAM observed.
The student body also asserted that some are trying to meddle with the way of life of the indigenous people by trying to invent and rewrite history. DESAM also condemned the inaction of authority against the “anti-social” people who threatened the culture and traditions of the land.
On the other hand, IPAK in a release on Monday said that it is unfortunate that some individuals are trying to obstruct the effort of preserving the sacred place of Mt Koubru, which has been a part of the culture, identity, civilization, history, etc for the indigenous people of the land since time immemorial. It is also unfortunate that some are trying to block the entry to Mt Koubru, obstructing building a temple and also trying to abolish the “symbolic identities” of the land.
IPAK further stated that those who believe in the indigenous religion planted trees and religious flags around the sacred place of Ebudhou Koubru. It is unfortunate that police have arrested some individuals for voicing against the act of uprooting the saplings and slashed the flags.
It is akin to police supporting those who are violating the Article 25 and 26 (related to religion) of the Indian Constitution by arresting those who are merely voicing against those miscreants. By arresting those who commented against the inaction of police in the incident, the fundamental rights, especially Article 19 (1) (a), 25, 26, of those arrested are being subdued, IPAK added.
IPAK also appealed to the state government to release those arrested — Okram Amarjit (also known as Thoi) and Lisham Bijoyraj, without any condition.
IPAK further appealed to the state government to conserve the sacred place at Mt Koubru and Thangjing Hill. The Forest Department should put an end to the deforestation of the hill ranges and stop the illegal poppy plantations and illegal settlement. IPAK also urged chief minister N Biren Singh to come up with a policy to curb the deforestation and illegal settlement.