Imphal, April 22 (NNN): Christian leaders of Manipur today held an emergency meeting to discuss the situation following the attack and desecration of a Church at Lamding in Thoubal district by a strong mob on April 19.The four hour meeting held at Lamphel�s Believers� Church this afternoon was chaired by Bishop Dominic Lumon and attended by various Church leaders of Manipur including leading pastors and priests.

The meeting adopted some resolutions.

The meeting decided to form a committee called Inter-Churches Peace Council.

It has also formed a Fact Finding Committee to look into the April 19 incident where Lamding�s Believers� Church was vandalised and later torched by a huge mob of about 200 people.

The meeting also decided that the newly formed Inter-Churches Peace Council would contact Manipur Minority Commission in a few days time to apprise the plight of the minority section of Manipur.

It also resolved that detailed information with regard to the harassments and atrocities meted out to the Christians would be fed to All India Christian Council.

The meeting also minutely discussed the problems faced by Christians in Manipur.

The Church leaders exchanged their experiences on problems they faced while preaching the gospel.

After taking into account the detailed deliberations of the speakers, the Church leaders decided that they would send members of the Fact Finding Committee to the people who are sternly against the construction of the Church at Lamding in Thoubal district for reconciliation.

One of the speakers was K Pamei alias Akhem Pamei who is the Commissioner of Excise, Govt of Manipur.

The Commissioner deliberated that Christian principle or biblical teaching should not be compromised while approaching those who are against the Christians.

He said that tolerance and patience are some of the qualities of the Christians adding that the Christians should not be aggressive in their approach but pursue their goals with love and humbleness that are behind those people who commit thoughtless acts.

Bishop Dominic Lumon stated that forming committee is not to challenge those people who were against the Christians but the sole purpose of it had been to defend the rights of the Christians.

Panti Gonmei, Rev Nipamacha Singh, Pastor Moirangthem Mani Singh, Rev Mingthang and others expressed their opinions in today�s Christian leaders discussion.

Rev Nipamacha Singh said that reconciliation with those people who had vandalised and torched the Believers� Church would be one of the steps that should be taken up by the Inter-Churches Peace Council.

The meeting had decided that on coming Sunday members of the Fact Finding Committee would be sent to Thoubal�s Lamding area to initiate for the reconciliation.

Members of the Fact Finding Committee under the convenorship of Rev Nipamacha are Pastor M Mani, Rajmohan, Father Mathangkanai, Panti Gonmei, Rev Mingthing, Rev Kaningngam and Babu.

Meanwhile, various Church associations have condemned the April 19 incident.

Comment