LSTB appeals

IMPHAL, May 20: The Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board (LSTB) has appealed to all concerned to withdraw all restrictions on holding sacred rituals and religious ceremonies and planting trees on Thangjing Hills.
The hill people and the plain people always share a cordial relationship and the same should be upheld by all. No room should be given for any untoward incident that may harm the hill-valley relationship. The hill people and the plain people should live together as one with mutual respect, said a statement issued by LSTB.
Of all the deities worshipped and revered by the indigenous Meitei community, Lord Koubru, Lord Marjing, Lord Wangbren and Lord Thangjing are placed in the highest position, it said.
There is also an age-old custom among the Meitei community to seek blessings of the four lords before holding certain religious rites and rituals, the LSTB pointed out.
A large number of people were aggrieved when a section of people prevented plantation of trees at sacred sites located atop Koubru peak.
Amidst this lingering grievance, one organisation came out with a notification which said that no religious ritual should be performed on Thangjing Hills without permission from them.
But the Koubru Hills and the Thangjing Hills are the sacred abodes of Lord Koubru and Lord Thangjing.
Terming the particular notification/press statement as most unfortunate, the LSTB appealed to the organisation and the village chief concerned to lift the restriction imposed on planting trees and performing religious rituals at the sacred abode of Lord Thangjing.  
Saying that some individuals/private parties have been encroaching on the sacred site of Tharoi Lok and the adjoining sacred pond dedicated to Lord Pakhangba, the LSTB appealed to all concerned to leave the sacred sites untouched.
It further appealed to all the people to check rampant deforestation activities on Koubru Range, Kongba Maru and other sacred sites.