Interfaith Forum urges Governor to restore peace
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, July 14 2023:
A collective of interfaith forum leaderships on Friday met Governor Anusuiya Uikey at Raj Bhavan here and handed her a memorandum to forward the same to President of India.
The memorandum addressed to the President urged immediate action to address the ongoing ethnic violence and hate campaigns that have affected both communities involved in the violence.
Additionally, it called for facilitation of uninterrupted transportation of relief materials to all communities, ensuring a sense of security on national highways, and equal access to quality food and healthcare in relief camps across the state.
Lastly, the interfaith forum urged for initiation of inclusive and sustained dialogue processes at the civil society level.
During the meeting, Governor Anu suiya, Uikey commended the efforts of the interfaith forum in bridging divide caused by violence and reconnecting communities.
She encouraged the forum leaders to visit relief camps and engage in healing missions, emphasising that the innocent victims, particularly women and children, bear the burden of the violence.
The Governor also expressed support for the forum's campaign to end violence and promote dialogue.
Prior to their meeting with the Governor, the interfaith forum organised a rally on Thursday at Palace Compound, urging both the state and central governments to take immediate action to end violence and foster dialogue.
The rally had the participation of approximately 500 individuals representing diverse religious, faith, ethnic, and spiritual backgrounds, united in their call to save lives and humanity.
The interfaith forum was established as a response to the ongoing violent conflict that has deeply divided society and left religious and faith leaders feeling powerless.
It was founded on June 5 this year at the Manipur Cultural Integration Conference, with the support of Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati, who expressed solidarity with the victims of the ethnic violence.
The forum consists of various reli gious and faith-based organisations, including the All Manipur Buddhists Association, All Manipur Christian Organisation, Art of Living Manipur, Bhakti Seva Lup/Ekta Parishad, Brah-makumari Manipur, Catholic Diocese Imphal, Divine Life Society Manipur, Federation of Madrassas Manipur, International Society of Gaudiya Vaish-navas, International Society of Krishna Consciousness Manipur, Jain Samaj Manipur, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind Manipur, Lainingthou Sanamahi Temple Board, Mahatma Seva Ashram Manipur, Manipur Baptist Convention, Meitei Christian Church Council Manipur, Manipur Cultural Integration Confer ence, Naga Christian Forum Manipur, Rongmei Naga Baptist Association, and Tinkao Ragwang Chapriak Phuam (ANM), among others.