IMPHAL, October 9: The Shri Govindajee Temple (Third Amemndment) Bill 2014 will create problems among different communities, claimed Umang Lai Kanba Apunba Lup spokesperson Yurembam Meiraba today.
UKAL has also set October 13 for the government to bring a solution on the impasse regarding the Bill and threatened to launch severe forms of agitations in the State in case it fails to.
UKAL has been spearheading a movement demanding revocation of the Bill which has already been passed as an Act with an approval from the State Governor. Many organisations in the State had supported the movement ever since then.
Speaking to media persons at their Palace Compound office, Meiraba said the passing of such a Bill in a secular country is unfortunate and regrettable.
This Act is bound to create more confusion among the peoples unless it is revoked, he claimed.
Elaborating on his point, he said the Umang lai deities are not worshipped by only one community, but there are several communities in the State who worship the deities.
He demanded a special session of the State Assembly at the earliest to revoke the Act.
At the same time, he lauded the statement of the State Chief Minister made during a Mera Houchongba observation that considering the differences in public opinion regarding Bill, he had urged the previous Governor against giving his assent to the passing of the Bill although the State Assembly had already passed it.
Meiraba at the same time questioned as to whether the statement was made to gain political mileage or the Chief Minister was genuine in his concern for the public sentiment.
On the other hand, Lai Lup convenor Maniton Mangang said the Chief Minister`™s statement has created confusion among the general public.
He said the Bill was passed on July 25, 2014 and UKAL supported by other organisations had demanded revocation of the Bill before September 15, however the government has neglected the demand.
Since then, UKAL has decided to boycott the upcoming Sangai Festival of the government.
Now if the government fails to bring an amicable solution to the demand before October 13, stronger forms of agitations will be launched in the State, he said.