Christian Council Conducted a Seminar on Religion Freedom and Human Trafficking at Guwahati
- All India Christian Council -

Guwahati, December 13, 2011 *

All India Christian Council
Regd Office: 142, Telecom Colony, Kanajiguda, Old Alwal,
Secunderabad-15 [AP] India


Christian Council Conducted a Seminar on Religion Freedom and Human Trafficking at Guwahati
Religious Persecution Rampant in Assam
Christian Council Chapter Setup to Monitor Religious Persecution and Address Human Trafficking Challenges

All India Christian Council conducted a seminar on religious freedom and human trafficking at Guwahati, Assam today. Over sixty key Christian leaders from various denomination, mission organisations and communities participated. A chapter of All India Christian Council for the state of Assam was setup today to monitor religious persecution and human trafficking challenges within the state.

The delegates testified during the open discussion that Christian minorities in Assam are facing severe persecution in the villages. Their complaints are denied by local authorities. Local chapter of All India Christian Council will network with national body based at New Delhi to address the problem of religious persecution in the state of Assam.

Christian Council has also learnt that the Assam Government has not made known to minority communities about Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Program for Welfare of the minorities. Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Program has not benefited any minority Christian in the state of Assam.

Advocate Atungo Shitri, Secretary - Peace and Justice of Council of Baptist Churches in North East India took a session on fundamental rights and religious freedom provided in Indian constitution. He says, “Every Indian citizen has rights to profess and propagate any choice of religion anywhere within Indian Territory. Anyone violating the fundamental rights must be brought under law of the land.”

Rev. Madhu Chandra, Regional Secretary of All India Christian Council and Spokesperson of North East Support Centre & Helpline took two sessions on “Prime Minister’s New 15 Point Programs for Welfare of Minorities” and North East Migration and challenges of human trafficking in mega cities.

“50 lakhs of North East Indians are expected to migrate to mega cities of India in next five years due to the lack of higher education infrastructure development in North East region. Thousands of them will be landed at the hand of human trafficking agents,” says Madhu Chandra.

It is high time for North Eastern state governments to address this challenge. “The challenges of human trafficking in North East region will become rampant when India Government’s “Look East Policy” opens Integrated International Check Gate at Indo-Burma boarder. It will become a hub of exit and entry of human trafficking in South Asian region,” added Madhu Chandra.

Seminar added with a resolution to compile a report on religious persecution in the state of Assam in last five years and the report will be submitted to National Commission for Minorities with copies to State Governor, State Chief Minister and State Human Rights Commission.

The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.

Released by
Rev. M Haokhothong
Convenor
Seminar on Religious Freedom,
Guwahati, Assam