Seminar discusses challenges faced by Christian Minorities
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Kakching, May 17 2014 :
All India Christian Council (AICC) organised a one-day Seminar on the 'Challenges faced by Christian Minorities in Manipur and Vulnerability on Human Trafficking in the context of Indo-Burma Highway' at Central Methodist Church, Molnoi Area near Pallel today.
Rt.
Rev.Paothang Haokip, Deputy Moderator of Good Shepherd Community Churches, Hyderabad Diocese; Rev.Madhu Chandra, Regional Secretary of AICC Manipur Branch and Ms.Hechin Haokip, Secretary of Centre for Women and Girls (CWG) were the Resource persons in the Seminar.
While dwelling on the grievances faced by the Christian Minorities, Rt.
Rev.Paothang Haokip said, "Like some of the states in India, the Christian Minorities in Manipur are facing severe persecution in different villages in recent years.
The response from the state government to curve the difficulties faced by the Christian Minorities is the matter of concern" .
Further, he stated that Pallel is an important place as far as trade relationship between India and Asian countries is concerned, and the government of Manipur and India must take keen interest in this locality to ensure fair and safety of the vulnerable communities to the challenges of human trafficking in the area.
Ms.Hechin Haokip, Secretary of Centre for Women and Girls (CWG) addressed the plights faced by the women and girls in the state.
She also said that the crime against women has increased in the state during the last few years.
The government of Manipur must adopt stringent laws, policy and plan of actions to curve the crime against women.
Laws passed by the central government on the safety of women must be implemented immediately, she added.
While calling upon the church and community leaders to tackle the human rights violation against the Christian minorities and women, Rev Madhu Chandra said that filing of FIR in the police station and seeking help from the concerned authorities like human rights commission and minorities commission are very important while seeking justice.
Tracking reports on crime against the Christian Minorities and women in general will be helpful while seeking help from higher constitutional bodies, he added.
The seminar was attended by more than 200 key leaders from Churches and different Christian religious communities living along the Indo- Burma Highway.