In Manipur, NSCN-IM calls for restoration of churches

KOHIMA: The Council for Nagalam Churches (CNC), the NSCN-IM’s church body, on Wednesday appealed to the people of Manipur to rebuild the places of worship that were destroyed in the May 3 violence in the state.
Through an open letter to the people of Manipur, the CNC said, “Now, what has been destroyed is our focus. The face of religious intolerance must be erased for good, and in place of the destroyed churches, Whether it is Meiteis or Kukis, it must be returned to the original owner for restoration.
It claimed that many unscrupulous people were trying to take over Christian lands where churches once stood majestically.
“The whole world’s expectation on the Matti community is that they have to prove themselves practically that they are a civilized people and not the other way around.
One of the most important things that all Meiteis are obliged to realize and acknowledge is that the Meitei community is not only Vaishnavite Hinduism and Sanamism as witnessed by the 236 burnt Meitei churches of various denominations by Meitei fundamentalists. has given This is a fact, not an accusation,” it said.
Hoping that the situation would return to normal, the CNC said the Meitei community should show magnanimity and not allow madness to take over the situation by resorting to forceful occupation of Christian holy places of worship. Church premises should be transformed into something unrelated. Desire of Church Owners
“What is also necessary is to intimidate the minority Meitei, the Kaki Christians should be completely controlled by the fundamentalists. A sense of tolerance and humanity is very important to prevent the escalation of violence in other areas.” ,” said the NSCN-IM church body.
He said that churches do not have any ethnic identity but are a symbol of religious freedom. He questioned why the government led by Manipur Chief Minister Biren Singh remained silent when “smoke from burning churches crossed the skies of Imphal Valley”.
They then consoled the people badly affected by the violence.