No Meitei Christian churches destroyed in Churachandpur, still safe and sound

The Churches belonging to the Meitei Christians located at Thingkangphai and Yaiphakol in Churachandpur still remain untouched and stand safe and sound despite the claims made by a Meitei pastor that the Churches were already destroyed.

As per media reports based in Imphal on October 7, a Meitei Pastor K. Ibungo  briefed media persons and said that the Thingkangphai Nungshiba Presbyterian Church of India and Yaiphakol Presbyterian Church of India were among the churches which were destroyed by Kuki Christians in Churachandpur district.

However, when The Hills Journal's reporter visited the two churches, it was found that the two churches are still standing in their shapes and structures as seen in the photos attached along with this report.

A Meitei Presbyterian Church at Yaiphakol Singlup in Churachandpur standing tall amidst the crisis.

In his briefing the Meitei Pastor had alleged that the Kuki Christians did not spare even Meitei Christians and the Churches that belonged to the Meitei community. The pastor had also stated that Boljang Asha Presbyterian Church of India (R), Thingkangphai Nungshiba Presbyterian Church of India (R), Yaiphakol Presbyterian Church of India, Manipur Evangelical Lutheral Church and Immanuel Meitei Fellowship, Shanti Veng, were among the churches which were allegedly destroyed in Churachandpur and Kangpokpi districts.

Though the condition of other churches mentioned by the Pastor are yet to be confirmed, The Hills Journal had visited the Meitei Christian Churches in Thingkangphai and interacted with one Youth Club leader Lunjamang and a Christian reverend L. Ngamkholal Haokip, who were both surprised to see the news clip and statement of the Meitei Pastor Ibungo.

Nungsiba Singlup, a Meitei Presbyterian Church at Thingkangphai, Churachandpur remained untouched

Narrating the incident and steps taken for safety by the locals, Reverend L. Ngamkholal Haokip said on May 3 evening and during the night, the members of Thingkangphai Village Authority and Youth Club members were busy running around, making sure that the Meitei in Thingkangphai were safe and that no villagers would lay hands on the Meitei and their properties.

As the news of violence from different areas spread with escalating tension, the Thingkangphai Village Authority convened an emergency meeting of the village including the Meitei elders at 6:00 pm in the evening, wherein the Authority members had suggested that all the Meitei families be evacuated for safety the village community hall. But, doubting that the violent mob could possibly harm them, they were requested to find other places for their safety, leaving behind their valuable properties to their neighbouring Kuki families whom they trusted, said Rev. Ngamkholal Haokip.

Even before the violence escalated in the Churachandpur town, the Reverend said, few of the Meitei villagers, who had somehow got prior information or doubt about the prevailed situation, had to move to the Assam Rifles camp already.

The reverend told THJ that as the numbers of the Meitei villagers were in hundreds, the Village Authority contacted the Assam Rifles and they later sent a bus and a truck, after which the Meiteis in Thingkangphai were evacuated. Even when the Meiteis were boarding into the vehicles provided by the Assam Rifles, some Kuki youths of the village were made to stand on duty at some elevated locations to prevent any mob approaching towards the Meiteis, he said.

Ngamkholal said, “Some Meitei families taking shelter in my house were also evacuated using a car and two Diesel Auto towards the BSF post at around 3:00 AM in the morning of May 4.”

Inspite of the efforts and risks the villagers had taken on humanitarian ground, Haokip added it was very unfortunate and unbelievable that the same Meitei villagers who were given safety by the Kuki villagers had to make various allegations after they reach Meitei dominated areas.

The Reverend further said that even many vehicles of the Meiteis, if not all, were driven by the Kuki villagers to the Assam Rifles where the Meiteis were taking shelter. "One Meitei namely, Mr. Ngouba, who was under the influence of alcohol and was not very much aware of the escalating situation, was also evacuated by the villagers and later dropped to the Assam rifles camp. An elderly person who could no longer walk on his own feet was also carried by the youths on their backs till the stationing of the vehicle meant to evacuate the Meitei villagers," he added.

Rev. Haokip also mentioned that some Meitei youths who came to visit Geljang Resort Centre, Churachandpur, on May 3 were also stuck in Thingkangphai. Knowing the escalating tension in Torbung areas, they had planned to return to the Resort Centre. However, members from the philanthropic organisation were contacted and later, the Kuki Khanglai Lawmpi (KKL) had evacuated them to the safer areas of Kangvai.

In response to the statement of the Meitei Pastor, Ibungo, Ngamkholal said that he had never expected such lies could come from a Christian pastor.  How will the pastor teach and preach to his church members when he himself, as a pastor, could spread lies, said Rev. Haokip.

Meanwhile, the youth leader of Thingkangphai, Mr. Lunjamang said the Village Authority is looking after the Meitei churches at present and so far no one has even made an attempt to destroy the churches .

In response to the claims by the Meitei that the Kukis set specific timing even for Lai Haraoba, Lungjamang clarified that there were nothing sort of such obstacles meted out to the Meiteis instead, they had to usually perform their Lai Haraoba or even the Thabal Chongba till midnight without any interference from anyone of the Kuki community.