The facts of Meitei Christians in the ongoing ethnic clash

Rahul Khangembam *

I am writing this letter in reply to “An open letter to people of Manipur’ by both writers Rev. Seksim Kasar, general secretary, CNC published on 6th July, 2023 and another letter by Hemam Bejen Singh dated 8th July, 2023.

That, everyone knows Manipur is in turmoil. We the Meitei people of valley and foothills are guarding our dwelling places night and day, sit in/street protest, clanking the electric post for alertness, heard the news of killing and displacement of thousands of innocent people, sounds of gun shots and tear gas shells, curfews for days, nanning of Internet and closure of schools.

Let’s consider what happened on May 3rd 2023, after the Tribal Solidarity March of ATSUM. The people know who are the perpetrators. Who burnt down Meitei place of worship Eputhou Pakangba, Meitei houses and other properties at Churchandpur ? Who torched, destroyed the Meitei Churches and Meitei Laisangs in valley and hill districts ?

All this happened in the few days of ethnic clash, since May 3rd to 7th in remote areas of valley district.

1. Rev Seksim Kasar, Gen Secy CNC, wrote that letter because the CNC wants to see peace and normalcy restored. He mentioned that Meitei Christians are persecuted by own Meitei community in the valley district. But in Churachandpur district Meitei and Meitei Christian are persecuted by Kuki Militants.

It is very clear that one person is the root of enmity between Meitei and Meitei Christians and neither is he a Pastor nor a Reverend. A multiple video of his disparaging messages and it was not related with Gospel (Good News). The said disparaging message hurt the sentiments of other religions. Holy Bible never teaches to disrespect other religions.

However, he denied to apologize to the religious leaders, the titular King of Manipur and people of Manipur. Unfor- tunately, (the idiocy) put enmity between the Hindu Meitei/Meitei Sanamahisam and Meitei Christian. The All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) appealed to all the communities of Manipur not to do or say anything which may hurt sentiments of others.

2. The Meitei Christians never accused Hindus/Sanamahism. The Meitei Christians join Meitei Hindu, Sanamahism to fight Narco Terrorists who are demanding to divide Manipur. The Manipur Tribal Forum filed several cases before the Hon’ble Supreme Court of India on 11th June, 2023.

The Meitei Christians Churches Council, Manipur MCCM received a draft copy of IA (Interlocutor Application) of the Manipur Tribal Forum Delhi writ petition No.540 of 2023 in the Supreme Court of India.

The said petition copy stated that Meitei Churches are burned by Meitei community but MCCM warned them to remove the name of Meitei Christians from petition and strongly condemned including Meitei Churches with Kukis in writ petition. The Meitei Christians want nothing but peace and normalcy, unity and harmony among all communities with the assurance that Manipur will remain as Manipur.

3. The ethnic clash has no connection with Meitei Christians who live with Meitei Hindus and it is also important for everyone to know that the Meitei Christians are also Meiteis not foreigners. The very first Christian in Manipur was Angom Purom Singh, who was a Meitei. This ethnic conflict is not related with religion but between Kuki Terrorists and Meitei civilians including Meitei Christians.

We all know that we are living in a secular country and every citizen has the right to follow the religion of his/her choice.

4. The Meitei Christians are not blaming the Government, but appeal to the Hon’ble CM and all the people of Manipur to respect the religion, belief of any individual/community and to stop threatening, persecuting harassing the innocent Meitei Christians and also to stop further violence in the State.

On May 7th the titular King of Manipur/Rajya Sabha MP Leishemba Sanajaoba and the leader of All Manipur Christian Organisation prayed for peace, they had a meeting at Sana Konung to discuss the communication gap.

The Integrated Faith for Peace and Harmony Manipur (IFPHM), a combination of Sanamahi Temple Board, Archbishop of Catholic Church, International Society of Manipuri Gauriya Vaishnavas, ISK-CON, Manipur Madrasas Federation, Manipur Baptist Church, Tingkao Ragwang Chapriak, Manipur Cultural Integration Council, Brah-makumari, Divine Life Society, Meitei Christian Church Council, Seventh Day Adventist, Art of Living and Bhakti Seva Lup submitted memorandum to Governor of Manipur, Anusuiya Uikey to end the violence in Manipur and restore peace.

Religious leaders of different faiths of Manipur joined in prayer for peace on 1st July, 2023 organized by Rajarshri Bhagyachandra Foundation, Manipur Gita Mandal, Imphal Brahma Sabha Shree Shree Govindajee Temple Board, Digambar Jain, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Manipur Baptist Church, Archdiocese of Imphal Gita Pariwar etc

5. We are all human beings, we fall and make mistakes and it is our duty to teach and give respect to each religion, caste, creed. The ongoing ethnic clash is not related with Meitei Hindu/Meitei Sanamahism or Meitei Christians. Let’s all pray to the Almighty to bring peace.