People holding placard and light candle during a Prayer Rally and Candle Light service for peace in Manipur at DDSC Stadium in Dimapur on September 3. (Photo by Caisii Mao)
Prayer rally and candle light service held for Manipur
Morung Express News
Dimapur | September 3
In an air of solidarity, hundreds of students and Christian leaders, yet again, on Sunday evening gathered at the DDSC public ground in Dimapur, calling for peace and healing in the strife-torn state of Manipur.
The gathering also gave a clarion call to the State and central governments to restore and rebuild the churches that had been reportedly destroyed during the ethnic conflict which has been going on since May 3.
Held under the theme, “Pursue Peace and Justice,” the prayer rally and candle light service for peace in Manipur’ was jointly organised by the Nagaland Joint Christian Forum (NJCF), Christian Forum Dimapur (CFD), and Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA).
During the event, Rev Dr Wati Aier, Convenor Forum for Naga Reconciliation (FNR) called upon the gathering to “say no” to societies and nations that advocate “exclusiveness” and are repressive toward the so-called “different ones.”
He maintained that in today’s globalised world, “religious and cultural plurality is the inescapable reality,” while urging the people to debunk the theory that advocates a single political order.
Rev Wati also implored upon any group of people or political order that push for a “singleness of ideology,” to do away with it before succumbing to a state of self-annihilation.
He encouraged the gathering to not allow the clash of civilization to destroy us, but instead, replace it with a vision of “cooperation with all who are different yet have much in common in our humanness.”
While condemning the alleged large-scale destruction, looting and desecration of the churches, President of Dimapur Baptist Women Union (DBWU), Khontale Seb appealed to the State and central governments to allow the rebuilding of churches at the earliest.
Mentioning Article 25 of the Indian Constitution which guarantees freedom of religion to every citizen of India, she stated that ‘burning of churches is discrimination against the believing communities, while affirming that that the citizens should be able to congregate and worship in their respective churches without any fear. She appealed for justice and action from law enforcement to provide safety to all citizens.
NJCF Vice President Rev Dr N Paphino while mentioning that the forum and CFD had visited Manipur three times and once together, where they had the privilege of meeting the Meiteis and Kuki Christian leaders and also visited several relief camps.
He said that they had seen the harsh realities of the people living in relief camps, where one particular camp established in a government school was in a dilapidated condition.
More than 156 families were gathered together, both young and old, men and women, children staying in such condition for more than three months with only one bathroom and toilet, he recounted.
After visiting the relief camps, we could understand “what was the problem,” “why it is still a problem,” and “why the government is not solving the problem,” he maintained.
He also alleged that the government has no intention to solve the problem, but rather trying to create more problems, and noted that more than 350 Meitei churches have also been burned and destroyed as per record since May 3.
Rev Paphino also urged the people to continue to pray for peace and healing in Manipur.
The programme chaired by Nini Sekhose Treasurer CFD also featured welcome address by its Chairman Rev Moses Murry and the vote of thanks by its Secretary Rev Dr CP Anto .
The reading of memorandum to be submitted to the President of India was done by Rev Alem Sangtam, President, NTCA.
