Verghese V Joseph –
Christian organisations such as the North-East India Christian Council of Meghalaya and the Mizoram Church Leader’s Committee (MKHC) have issued appeals to urgently restore peace and harmony in Manipur.
The North East India Christian Council, which is a united body of 55 Christian denominations in North East India has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi drawing his attention to the dismal state of affairs in Manipur.
A statement from the council said, “The pervasive violence since May 3 this year has resulted in heavy loss of lives and properties, putting to a standstill normal lives in Manipur for exactly two months now. It is all the more disturbing that the situation, instead of improving, seems to be deteriorating each day for the past 62 days, affecting thousands of Indian citizens, and more severely the poorer sections of the society.”
The statement highlighted that the incidents bring shame upon the state administration and the Central government as well, for the violent conflicts to continue for so long, that the ugly ethnic clashes remain unchecked even after two months have passed. “Arson, inhuman violent attacks on people and destruction of houses and places of worship have not abated. The law and order situation is a matter of grave concern. It appears to be a total failure at this time. The North East India Christian Council, therefore, appeals for taking urgent measures to contain the distressing situation in Manipur,” it said.
The statement sought an immediate end to physical violence in Manipur as clashes were reported till date. “Please take urgent steps to further strengthen the security forces to ensure the safety and security of the people who have been suffering mentally and physically. The people of Manipur cannot afford to live in this condition any longer,” the statement further said.
The council urged that religious places of worship need special protection. It has been reported that more than 300 places of worship have been burnt or destroyed in the past two months. These destroyed structures mostly are church buildings of Christians in Manipur. Apart from the loss of properties, the destruction of religious places of worship implies the loss of religious freedom to worship and practice one’s religion, which is a case of curbing our fundamental rights to practice and propagate the religion of our choice, as provided in the Constitution of India.
The statement was signed by General Secretary Rev. Dr. Ramengliana, and President Rev L Lalnunzira.
Meanwhile, the Mizoram Church Leader’s Committee (MKHC) too has expressed serious concern over the ethnic clashes that broke out between two communities in the neighbouring state of Manipur since the 3rd of May 2023 and condemned in the strongest term the destruction of churches and sacrileges perpetrated by heedless people, without any respect to the sentiment of the religious minded people, for which The Mizoram Church Leader’s Committee (MKHC) calls for the complete stop of all such scornful act of irreverence to religious properties.
In a Press release, MKHC said it was extremely pained at the loss of many precious innocent lives and shared the grief of the many families who lost their loved ones from this ongoing violent conflict.
They appealed to all concerned leaders of the Central and state governments, community leaders, organizations and individuals from both the communities to work for reconciliation, immediate restoration of peace and harmony, and amicable permanent solution.
The Mizoram Church Leader’s Committee also appreciated the commendable job extended by various churches in making necessary provision to the displaced victims, who have lost all their properties, having no food to eat and seeking refuge in our state as displaced people, and MKHC further appeal the churches and other agencies to continue the benevolent act.
The release was signed by Chairman The Rev. Dr. C. Chawnghmingliana & Secretary Rev. R. Lalrinsanga.
Peace will come only when neighbouring North-eastern states like Mizoram, Meghalaya and Nagaland exert pressure on the Central government to stop spillover or recurrence of Manipur incident in their states. Mizoram has already taken a great initiative in this direction.