Kukis using Meetei churches to seek support: Christian victims
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 06 2023:
In a sharp response to contentions by various international bodies in their attempt to project the present conflict in the state as a communal violence against the Christian minorities, Meetei Christian Victims of Manipur Violence (MCVMV), a joint body of displaced Meetei Christians, has categorically said that the conflict has nothing to do with religion other than ethnic clash between two communities.
Addressing the media at Manipur Press Club here on Friday, Meetei Christian pastors said that around 350 churches have been burned during the crisis with half the number belonging to Meetei Christians.
Unfortunately, Kuki groups are using these Meetei churches to draw moral and financial support from international bodies like United Nations and European Union as well as international religious bodies while at the same time trying to portray the current crisis in the state as a communal one.
The pastors stressed the need for assessing utilisation of global funding to the Kuki community in the name of religion.
They further said that apart from the 350 churches, around 393 Meetei and Hindu temples including Umang Lai shrines were also vandalised or burned in the crisis.
Meetei Christians are attacked by Kuki Christians.
Over 200 houses belonging to Meetei Christians were also burned by the Kukis.
Moreover, several churches of Meetei Christians were vandalised or burned down by Kukis in Churachandpur, Moreh, Laikhong and Sugnu.
These factual evidences are enough to prove that the conflict is not a religious but an ethnic one, they added.