Imphal: Kuki narco-terrorists have so far vandalised and burnt down 393 Meitei temples and places of worship amid the restive situation in Manipur, claimed the Working Committee on Protection of Meitei Temples formed under Umanglai Kanba Apunba Lup (UKAL).
In a statement, the Committee said that they are able to make public the figure after extensive research.
The Committee didn’t mention any instances of religious sites being attacked in Naga dominated districts.
Claiming that the Kuki narco-terrorists didn’t simply vandalise or burn down the Temples and places of worship but also stepped on and spat at idols worshipped by Meiteis, the Committee said that of the 343 Temples and places of worship desecrated by Kuki narco-terrorists. 44 of them were dedicated to Umang Lai (three in Tengnoupal, 11 in Churachandpur, four in Kakching, three in Imphal East, 10 in Kangpokpi, six in Bishnupur and seven in Imphal West).
As per the Committee, 110 Apokpa Laipham which are dedicated to ancestral deities were also vandalised and torched by Kuki narco-terrorists and they were at Tengnoupal (15), Churachandpur (38), Kakching (23), Imphal East (9) and Kangpokpi (3).
The Committee went on to claim that Kuki narco-terrorist attacked 223 Temples and places of Hingkhol Lai viz 41 in Kakching, 72 in Churachandpur, 20 in Bishnupur, 43 in Tengnoupal, 30 in Imphal East, four in Imphal West and 13 in Kangpokpi after desecration.
The remaining 16 Temples and places of worship vandalised and burnt down were of Hindu Gods, it claimed.
Saying that there may be many more Temples and places of worship of Meiteis which have been defaced amid the ethnic-conflict by Kukis, the Committee appealed to one and all to report to the office of UKAL at Palace Compound if they have any knowledge of attack on the religious sites of Meiteis along with the photos of Temples and places of worship.
The Committee said that there are certain problems in redeveloping these vandalised Temples and places of worship due to financial constraints and appealed to all Manipuris to extend whatever help they can to rebuild them.
It also sought the assistance of the Government and all concerned in rebuilding the Meitei Temples and places of worship vandalised by Kukis.
Source: The Sangai Express
