Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 17:
Taking serious note of the rampant discrimination against the minority Meetei Christians and Rongmei Christians in Manipur, All India Christian Council (AICC) has resolved to highlight the matter to the National and International church authorities for taking up necessary action so as to help in maintaining cordial relations amongst all communities residing in the State.
Speaking at a press conference today, AICC national secretary Sam Paul informed that the decision was taken during a seminar jointly organised by the AICC and All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) at MBC Centre Church today.
Condemning the atrocities meted out to minority Christians in the State, Paul asserted that Christians are as good as any other citizens of the country and have the equal right to propagate ones religion or belief.
He further informed that all the report would be first complied by the AICC and then submitted to the leaders of the Council as well as the International Christian authorities- Christian Solidarity based in United Kingdom and Assist New Service in USA for their intervention.
Joining in the interaction with the mediapersons, a Meetei Christian informed that locals of Mayang Langjing dug out the lifeless body of the mother of Pastor Amuba Phijam on July 2004 from the local cemetery and threatened the family members of the pastor.
The concerned police station also failed to take up appropriate steps despite repeated appeals, he lamented.
Moreover, when the father of pastor Amuba died in November later that year, the locals again swarmed on the cemetery and exhumed the coffin after destroying the Phumlou Baptist Church, he added.
Another discrimination against minority Christians was also witnessed when villagers of Langthabal Khoupum resorted to violence on coming to know that the family of Ningthouba Golmei and G Apabi Golmei had converted to Christianity.
AICC convenor for north India Moses Parmer along with Christian leaders from part of the State attended the programme.