Activist suspects Church donations arming Kukis
Source: Chronicle News Service

Imphal, September 22 2023: Expressing suspicion of Chin-Kukis collecting funds through Church donations for buying sophisticated weapons, social activist Rohan Philem, who is also a follower of Christianity, has urged Churches to donate funds after collecting ground report.

Addressing media persons in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Rohan Philem stated that the Chin-Kukis are trying to portray to the world that they are the poorest, downtrodden and marginalised community in the whole world.

Such a community which claims itself as the poorest is using highly sophisticated weapons during the present conflict in Manipur.

It is very clear that these sophisticated weapons are being funded through narco-terrorism, the activist asserted.

He also said that there is strong suspicion of the Kukis using the funds collected through Church donations for purchasing arms.

Therefore, there is the need for Churches to donate funds by understanding the ground report and reality.

Arms and ammunition should not be procured from the funds collected in the name of religion through Churches.

As for the arms looted from government armouries in the valley districts of the state, it is an already known fact, he added.

Rohan Philem also conveyed that attacks by armed Chin-Kuki militants on Meitei villages located in the foothill areas are still happening with the latest ones at Narensena and Pallel.

However, the Meiteis have never attacked the Kuki villages but only retaliated after being attacked to save themselves and the villages.

The media also needs to do a thorough reporting on the attacks being carried out by armed Kuki militants on Meitei villages in foothill areas, he stressed.

Further citing reports that around 350 Churches have been torched, he regretted lack of reporting on the fact that 8 Churches of Meitei Christians and 393 Meitei Hindu temples have been burnt down during the ethnic clash.

While claiming that there are official reports of more than 200 houses of Meitei Christians and 40 houses of Tamils burnt down by Kukis, Rohan opined that though there is no harm for the Christians of Chennai to extend help to the Chin-Kuki people it is equally necessary to see where the funds provided are being used by the Chin-Kuki people.

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