Church leaders appeal against eviction
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, September 09 2018:
Tribal Church Leader's Forum has appealed to stay the eviction order passed by SDO Imphal West regarding eviction of two Churches located inside RIMS complex, Lamphel in the interest of the Christian people staying in the area.
Speaking to media persons at Manipur Press Club today, Lalpi Vaiphei, president of Tribal Church Leader's Forum (TCLF) said that on September 4, SDO, Lamphel, Imphal West, passed an order to evict two Churches namely Lamphel Rongmei Church and Lamphel Baptist Church, which have been established and located inside RIMS complex for the past 45 years.
Most members of the said Churches are students and employees of RIMS, he added.
He continued that the Central Government and the State Government claim themselves to be secular but passing sjuch an order is an act of betrayal against the Christian community.
Passing such an order against Christian worship places is very unfortunate and condemnable, he added.
Lalpi Vaiphei further appealed to the State Government to stay the eviction order on humanitarian grounds as it hurts the sentiments of the Christians and added that such eviction can be initiated only after a State Cabinet decision.
He also said that as per a verdict passed by the Supreme Court of India, it was clearly stated any worship places, temples, Churches, Mosques, Gurudwaras and others which existed before 2009 cannot be demolished.
In 2010, regularization of various worship places, was taken up in Imphal West district and 70 temples were regularized by the Government.
But none of the Churches located in Imphal West district were regularized, he said and condemned such alleged ill treatment meted out to the Christian community.
He also warned that if the Government takes works to evict the said two Churches without hearing their plea, then the Church bodies of the State might take up different steps against the eviction process in both the hills and the valley.
L Nipamacha, vice president of All Manipur Christian Organization stated that the eviction order of the said two Churches came up from time to time but they were settled by the then Government and then CM, O Ibobi.
Similarly, he expressed hope that the present CM, N Biren will also take up such steps and protect the Churches in the interest of the Christian people of the State.