Manipur: NGOs voice concern against eviction of churches in Imphal

IMPHAL: The All-Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) and All Tribal Students’ Union Manipur (ATSUM) held a press conference regarding the eviction order of the churches by the Manipur government, at the ATSUM office on Thursday.

AMCO president Rev. S. Prim Vaiphei said that 45 churches in and around Imphal area including 14 churches in Lamphel, 14 in Langol, six churches in the national game village, and eight at the Tribal colony Imphal, have come under the radar.

Rev. Vaiphei further said that churches which teach moral values on how to be a good citizen deserve fair justice.

“Is equitable justice not applicable to Christians, why target Christian religious structure and victimise the Christians?” he added.

“According to a Supreme Court ruling, it is said to either regularise, relocate or evict all religious structures that were built before September 2009 and the Government of Manipur have regularised 188 religious structures but not a single church was included in the regularisation,” said Rev. Vaiphei.

Meanwhile, Rev. Vaiphei said that he had submitted a memorandum to the Prime Minister and called upon the Chief Minister and the Governor but has received no response.

(Edited by Gabriel G Momin)