AICC flays Mnp failure to protect Christians

IMPHAL, SEPT 18:
All India Christian Council (AICC) has threatened to take Manipur government to court if the latter did not act on the directive of the National Commission for Minority (NCM) to pay a compensation of Rs 2.50 lakh to build a new church building in Chingmeirong Kabui, a Zeliangrong village in Imphal, which was damaged by the Village Council.
In order to protect their indigenous religion, the Village Council of Chingmeirong Kabui has been imposing ban on activities related to Christianity and served quit notice to its own village members who had converted to Christianity.
AICC secretary general, Dr John Dayal came down heavily on Manipur government for failure to take any action against the "unconstitutional resolution" passed by the village council stating, "No Christian activities like prayer, worship, singing and preaching is allowed within Chingmeirong Kabui village (ward no. 173), any living person violating this order will be punished…...".
He said that the Manipur government was served 15 days notice to submit a chargesheet but failed to take appropriate action. Dr. Dayal and AICC north regional secretary Rev Madhu Chandra who are camping in Imphal alleged that it was under this "unconstitutional" order passed by the Village Council/Village Chief of the village that members of the village destroyed church building and Christian houses. They flayed Manipur government for not taking appropriate action even though the NCM summoned chief secretary D. S. Poonia on September 7 at the Commission Office for failure to take up a case in connection with the church attack.
Rev Madhu Chandra said that a report on attacks on churches and Christians in Manipur compiled by the AICC had also been submitted to Manipur government. As per the report of fact-finding team, 20 cases of attack on Christians took place in Manipur from 1990 to 2004. Over 10 churches and Christian homes destroyed by anti-Christian elements.
It was alleged that that several village authorities in Manipur segregate Meetei Christians, Rongmei Christians and Nepali Christians.
The AICCC members said Manipur chief secretary had no idea about the series of attacks on Christians in Manipur. They said when the vice president of NCM, Dr H. T. Sangliana referred the fact-finding report to Poonia, the latter refused to acknowledge the crimes committed against Christian minorities which were also reported in local papers and cases registered at local police stations. The AICC also appealed Manipur chief minister to take up urgent steps to check human trafficking in the state pointing out that child trafficking in the name of religion and lucrative jobs outside the state was alarmingly increasing.(NP)