All Manipur Christian Organisation expresses concerns over demolition of churches

The All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) has conveyed its concern and solidarity with the ill-fated members of the three Churches at Tribal Colony Imphal whose church buildings were demolished.

In a release, AMCO said that the three churches namely, the Evangelical Baptist Convention Church (EBCC), Holy Spirit Catholic Church and Manipur Evangelical Lutheran Church were demolished with duress power in the wee hours of April 11, without any regard to religious sanctity.

The release also lamented the action saying that the harsh action of the night raid has created a nightmare and fear psychosis to the people in and around them and also hurts the sentiments of the Christians in general. These Churches were dismantled on the pretext that they had been constructed on Government land, the release added.

The release condemned the move stating that it is very unfortunate the Government has to resort to only demolition options of Christian worship places while dealing with religious structures constructed on public places or government lands despite the Supreme Court’s standing instruction for either regularisation, relocation or removal of such structures.

As per the Supreme Court’s directive, the Manipur Policy for review of unauthorised construction of religious Nature on Public Parks, Public Places etc. 2010 was framed and a proposal for regularisation of 188 religious’ structures in five districts was approved by the State Cabinet on October 11, 2011 and and subsequently regularised the same vide No.21/98/2011-R dated October 27,2011. It is unfortunate that not even a single church/Christian worship place was included (regularised), mentioned the release.

AMCO in their press release said that this was a discriminatory decision of the government.

The noble ideals of secularism enshrined in our Constitution which guarantees Freedom of Religion, Belief, Faith and Worship to every citizen of India needs to be followed in its true sense and spirit.

At this critical juncture, AMCO calls upon all the Churches and Denominations in Manipur to co-operate and share the grief and sorrow of our brethren at Tribal colony, Imphal and to withhold them in their prayers.

Further, AMCO reiterates its undaunted commitment to uphold the spirit of love, care and fraternity among the people of Manipur, irrespective of caste, creed and religion.

Source: The Imphal Free Press