Manipur: Catholic Bishops’ Association Calls Upon ‘Governance System’ to Uphold Secular Fabric
Not for the first time have concerns been expressed over attacks on churches and violence against women and children.
New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) has called for immediate initiation of dialogue between all the concerned stakeholders in Manipur so that peace can return in the state which has seen ethnic violence since May 3.
A delegation of the CBCI visited the state recently. The team visited conflict-ridden areas of Kakching, Sugnu area, Pukhao, Canchipur, Sangaiprou, according to the statement issued on July 24.
In the aftermath of the visit, the group has expressed surprise at the “prolonged silence” and apathy of the law enforcement agencies.
“It is our earnest appeal that the governance system should uphold the secular fabric of our country, reinforce constitutional values and cultivate an environment of peaceful co-existence of various communities,” it said in the statement. The Christian body expressed deep concern over attacks on its religious institutions, places of worship and assault of women and children.
During the trip, the team said that it found that the houses of people living in various relief camps have been totally destroyed. The team recorded that St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School and Parish, which rendered educational, social and developmental service to all communities including Kuki-zo, Naga, Meitei and others had been reduced to cinders.
“Holy Redeemer Church in the campus of Catholic School at Canchipur and the Regional Pastoral Training Centre and St. Paul’s Parish at Sangaiprou had also been completely destroyed,” their statement said.
More than 250 churches have been burnt down in the state since the violence erupted three months ago.
The CBCI also raised an alarm about the mental health of children living in various relief camps which have been established in schools and hostels, some of which it visited. “We could see the anxieties and distress of the children clearly leaving us with no answers at this point of time as to how we can better build the communities and the institutions,” the statement read.
Meanwhile, Christians took out a silent rally in Gujarat’s Nadiad district on July 24 demanding that steps be taken for restoration of peace. A similar rally was taken out Chrisitans at Ladakh on the same day under the banner of Ladakh Moravian Mission Church to express solidarity with “tribal victims of Manipur violence” and demanded justice for them.
Earlier in July, Catholic Church leaders in Kerala criticised the government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the ongoing violence in Manipur, with a bishop alleging that it is an act of “genocide sponsored by the government”.
The article is published on thewire.in
