5 houses vandalised, allegations fly
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, January 16:
Subsequent upon the reported act of vandalising five houses belonging to Catholics by Baptist Christians in Kwarok Maring village under Yairipok police station, a team of the All Manipur Catholic Union made a spot enquiry today.
Speaking to The Sangai Express, Kh Morung, who is a pioneer in spreading the message of the Catholic denomination in Hamengshoi Leikai of Kwarok Maring village, said some people of Kwarok Maring village but not residents of Hamengshoi Leikai came to his house which also serves as a Church at about 9.30 am of January 8 and vandalised five houses.
Counting this one, this was the second time the Catholics were attacked in the locality, Morung said.
The Catholic converts were attacked for not adopting the Baptist denomination of Christianity.
The attack was aimed at driving away the Catholics from the locality currently inhabited by about 55 clans, alleged Kh Morung while adding that 14 people have adopted Catholic faith so far.
On the other hand, village elder K Morung disclosed that the inhabitants of Hamengshoi Leikai never contributed to the collective fund of the village or attended any public meeting.
For their unsocial and reclusive attitude, the village decided to drive them (people of (Hamengshoi Leikai) away beyond the village gate.
The matter had nothing to do with adoption of different sects of religion, clarified K Morung.
The people of Hamengshoi Leikai volunteered to move away from the village and some of them even started de-constructing their own houses.
Some others maintained that they would wait for auspicious time to de-construct rooms where the altar of Sanamahi is placed, claimed K Morung.
After making a spot enquiry today, president of the All Manipur Catholic Union Shiphang decried such inter-denominational row among the Christians.
He appealed to all concerned to avoid such incidents and to live in peace and harmony.