Ukhrul prays for peace
Source: The Sangai Express / Mungchan Zimik
Ukhrul/Imphal, July 30 2014:
A one-hour prayer service, 'Just Peace' was conducted at Tangkhul Nagalong (TNL) ground defying Section 144 CrPC here today.
Although, a large number of people led by church and civil society organisation leaders turned up to participate in the prayer session, police blockaded them at two different points of the township and prevented their entry into the ground as gathering of crowd was not permissible due to clamping of prohibitory order in the aftermath of the assassination of Ukhrul ADC Vice-Chairman Nga-langjar Malue.
However, after a brief confrontation, around 30 people including women broke police barricade and entered into the ground for the prayer session at around 12.40 pm.
Later, around 40 other persons managed to gain entry into the ground from another side, where security forces were not deployed.
At around 1 pm, the prayer programme commenced peacefully in the presence of Ukhrul SP S Selvan.
The session began with a prayer from P Zimik, convener ICF.
TNL president in his key note address alleged the State Government of intentionally creating a tense situation, which according to him is a motive to derail and sabotage Indo-Naga peace process.
Around 70 people comprising of pastors, church leaders, civil society organizations leaders and public attended the one hour prayer programme while the rest of the public were prevented by security forces from attending the prayer service.
The gathering prayed for an honourable solution to the Indo-Naga peace process, leaders of the Government of India, collective leadership of NSCN (IM) and peace.
The Ukhrul town pastors led the prayer and shared their views.
They also thanked the almighty for making the prayer service meaningful in spite of confrontations faced by the attendees.
They said, "Even though, most of the other Ukhrul denizens could not attend the prayer meeting, we prayed with our earnest heart, we all long and yearn for peace in the town" .
The programme ended with mass prayer and singing Tangkhul anthem at around 2 pm peacefully.