Imphal: Amid tight security, devotees offered prayers at the Sacred Kongba Maru shrine for the first time today since the outbreak of violence in Manipur on May 3. To prevent any untoward incidents during the ritual ceremony, a significant number of personnel from both Central and State Forces were stationed at the venue. The religious event was organized by the Working Committee on Protection of Meitei Temple formed under UKAL, along with Kongba Maru Laiphalen Semgatpa Apunba Lup, IKAL Yumnam Khunou, and local volunteers.
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The ceremony was attended by Keirao MLA and numerous devotees from different parts of Manipur. However, due to security concerns arising from the bunkers set up by Kuki Militants, devotees were unable to access other significant sites within the sacred hill range like the Hinaotabi Hiden, U Machin-Manao shrine and Hijaotabi Hiden.Â
It may be mentioned that parts of Kongba Maru Laipham, a sacred place for the Meitei community located about 22 km from Imphal, was burned by suspected Kuki militants in July first week.
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