Eviction order of two Churches inside RIMS campus exhibits lack of humanity : ATSUM
Source: The Sangai Express
Kangpokpi, September 18 2018:
Drawing the concerned authority's attention on humanitarian ground, the All Tribal Students' Union Manipur (ATSUM) has urged the authorities concerned to withdraw the eviction order of Lamphel Rongmei Baptist Church and Lamphel Baptist Church situated inside the campus of Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS) Campus, Imphal.
Seiboi Haokip, general secretary, ATSUM said that the tribal apex student body is 'deeply concerned' that the aged Churches located inside RIMS campus have been 'threatened' with eviction notice while articulating the student body's disappointment over the alleged short-sighted and 'ignorant' eviction order of the two Churches.
Lamphel Rongmei Baptist Church was reportedly established in 1988 while Lamphel Baptist Church was established in 1973.He alleged that the eviction order issued by SDO Lamphel on September 4 violated the Supreme Court verdict of 2009 which stated that eviction or demolition of places of worship that was constructed before 2009 in public places can be initiated only after taking decisions in a cabinet meeting.
"The eviction order is yet another example of State Government's policies and procedures that lack humanity," asserted Seiboi Haokip while vehemently censuring the "rude" decision of the concerned authority in performing such "non-humanitarian act" toward the Christian community.
He continued that Christian community in the State is united against the "unacceptable" eviction order of the two old Churches inside RIMS.
This has created apprehension among the community who go to the Churches, he said.
"It is very unfortunate that a hostile environment is being deliberately created to make life harder for the Christian brethren staying in our capital city with such wilful eviction order," he said.
Drawing the attention of the State Government to intervene in the direction of the eviction, ATSUM urged the responsible concerned authority to rethink their decision of evicting the two Churches catering Christian community from various North-East States including medical students and employees of RIMS.
"If the authority concerned converts the order into action and demolishes the Churches, it will hurt the sentiments of hundreds of people," he said and urged the concerned authority to withdraw the eviction order in the larger interest of humanity and peaceful environment.
Meanwhile, Poumai Naga Churches too condemned the eviction noticed served and said that it will disrupt harmony and peace.