Seminar on the role of Church leaders on election matters held
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, July 25 2011:
All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) organized a seminar on the role of Church Leaders on election matters with more emphasis on the forthcoming general election at Kangpokpi Baptist Church Centre today.
Speaking at the formal inauguration of the seminar, the president of AMCO, Rev.S Prim Vaiphei said that AMCO is not a political organization nor it has anything to do with politics.
We all are here to discuss and understand the role of church leaders in bringing about peace and solidarity among us all.
The type of seminar which is being held here is the continuation of a series of seminars held at Chandel and Tamenglong on 24 June and 19 July respectively.
The world we live in is full of corruption.
Bad is not regarded as bad and wrong is not regarded as wrong anymore.
Corruption is seen everywhere, not only among the government high ranking officials, MLAs/ Ministers.
It is seen everywhere among the common people too, he said.
He further went on to say that if we go to the hills we see many portions of our beautiful land covered by Ganja and Kani (poppy).
These are planted and cultivated by the church leaders.
It is high time that we as church leaders wake up and abstain ourselves from such wrong doings.
We the hill people call our brethren of the valley as idol worshippers and associate them with dishonest, cunningness, self seeking people and use to talk about their Meitei Chalak.
And now web are doing what our brethren of the valley will hate to do, he said.
Even during the time of election, our brethren of the valley cast their votes very peacefully.
There is no proxy or bogus voting.
No one cast vote in place of someone.
Among the Christians, the matter of election becomes a burning issue.
Voting in the name of someone who has died 5/6 years before, forcing people to vote against their choice etc have become our lifestyle.
We are not ashamed of this act, rather we regard it as a heroic act.
So far no church leader has ever objected to such act of abomination.
We all need to give up one's vested interest and help in bringing the right kind of election in the society.
Doctor Lebon Serto on the occasion spoke on the Manual for Christian Leaders in Manipur which was release on the occasion using slide shows.