AMCO reminds duty to Church leaders
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, August 10 2011:
Underground organisations sho- uld not interfere in the upcoming General election to the State Assembly and the Church leaders should be able to speak up for ensuring the voting rights to the people, president of All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) Prim Vaiphei has observed.
Addressing a seminar organised by AMCO in connection with upcoming Assembly election at the conference hall of Tangkhul Theological Association, Ukhrul town, Prim Vaiphei reminded that Pastors and Church leaders have a great role and responsibility in leading every Church members to the right direction.
Exhorting the participants which include Pastors, Church leader and village chiefs from different parts under Ukhrul, Chingai and Phungyar Assembly Constituencies, Prim Vaiphei said Church members in the hills should be able to speak up against unholy practices like casting votes in the name of people who have demise, proxy voting, booth capturing and offering money to woo voters during election time.
If the Church leaders are not going to speak up against deprivation of voting rights of the people, who else would come and do that ?, he questioned and further exhorted that it is time for the Church leaders to wake up.
The AMCO president further observed that individuals who are Christian and aspire to contest in the election should give their commitment to the people and be god fearing.
Success in the election through gun and muscle power would not be never considered true success and they should be warned of expulsion from their respective Churches.
Prim Vaiphei expressed unhappiness that the evil of corruption has today even cast its shadow among some of the Church leaders who are supposed to speak up for truth and justice.
If not by Church members, who else would come and cultivate the Ganja, Poppy plants that have taken over the otherwise enchanting hill slopes ?, he questioned, while observing that the pastors should not close their eyes to illegal activities taking place around them.
Speaking as one of the resource persons, Dr Leban Serto, who presented paper on the topic of Election Manual and Reforms, pointed out that changes can be brought about only when there is full participation of the people in the election process and their voting right is ensured.
If the Church leaders understand their responsibility truly, then there can be peace and the society can prosper, Dr Leban Serto observed.