TCC reiterates stance, seeks immediate Government intervention
Source: The Sangai Express

Ukhrul, August 14 2017: Even though the Tangkhul Catholic Council (TCC) is trying to settle the issue concerning denying burial of Late Rita Haorei in Leingangching village (native village) by the village authorities, it is likely to turn into an uglier situation in the district .

The Catholic community following the abhorrent attitude of the villagers formed a JAC against "Denial of Burial of Late Rita Haorei" on August 10 .

Under the aegis of the JAC, a public rally will be held at Ukhrul on August 16 and 17 at Imphal to demand and claim the constitutional rights of every citizen of the Catholic community living in the district and for the burial of Late Rita in her native village.

In a press conference held today at UDWJA office, Viewland Ukhrul, TCC secretary, Vinson Kasar, elaborated a detailed episode to banish a Catholic member H Yangmi along with four other families from his native village, Leinangching in 2010 .

TCC reiterates stance, seeks immediate Government intervention

Vinson stated that the village by law has clearly written that " There should not be any denominational activity dividing the existing religion" .

There are substantial evidence and documents to prove that the Catholic community were marginalized by the village, especially to Yangmi and his family, he added .

According to him, in 2010, from the office Kilo Kilonser, NSCN GPRN, an order was served to both the parties ( Village Authority and to Yangmi and party) .

Yangmi was fined Rs 20,000 for violation of their village avowed sectarian constitution /agreement while the same order also allowed Yangmi and his party for reconstruction of their dwelling houses in the same plot as well as payment of Rs 20,000 to the affected families as compensation from Leinangching village .

While the TCC president, Paotam Zimik, who is also the convener of the JAC, strongly denounced the statement of the Leinangching Village claiming the issue as an internal village affair or crisis .

The denial for burial of the body is against the rights to religion, he stated and appealed to all to establish the fact before expressing their views about the present crisis .

TCC also expressed strong disappointment to Tangkhul social organizations leaders for sidelining the Catholic community.

According to Vinson, even registering an FIR was denied three times at Litan police station .

However the FIR was accepted, only today, after meeting the CM .

Paotam Zimik further mentioned that, yesterday, TCC members met the N Biren Singh and highlighted the details of the incident and sought action and immediate intervention of the State Government through submission of memorandum to resolve the crisis at earliest .

The Catholic community has unanimously resolved to organise peaceful public rally at Ukhrul on August 16 and on August 17 at Imphal against "Denial of burial of late Rita" .

The Catholic community will intensify agitation and will impose State wide bandh from August 18 if the State Government fails to provide any tangible results.