All Manipur Christian Organization (AMCO) on Thursday appealed to the Manipur government to drop its plans of removing churches constructed at public places in and around Imphal.
AMCO alleged that none of the Churches across the state were included when the Manipur government regularized 188 worshiping places constructed at public places.
Addressing a press conference here, AMCO president Rev Prim Vaiphei said that as none of the churches were included in the list of the worshiping places, there were apprehensions of churches being removed in and around Imphal.
He said that there are around 44 churches in and around Imphal. Of these, 14 each are in Lamphel and Langol areas, six in Game Village area, nine in Tribal Colony and one in Leimakhong area.
Most of these churches were constructed prior to the Supreme Court guideline/direction with cut-off date as October 29, 2009 for regularisation of existing unauthorized construction in the name of temple, church, mosque or gurudwara among others at public parks and other public places, he claimed.
Vaiphei protested against the alleged government’s favouritism of religion saying that it was a step-motherly treatment towards Christians in the state.
Despite repeated requests to regularise the churches, the state government failed to hear the demands of the Christians.
He pointed out that the state government had already regularised a total of 188 worshiping places of different religions and at the same time served eviction notices to churches. As such, there were always apprehensions among Christians of churches being demolished at any time.
He claimed that churches in the state have been playing a big role in spreading the message of living together in peace and harmony among different communities living in the state.
“This is not justice on the part of the governance. There is no justice in this land. Governance partiality to religion will bring no good result,” he said.
Meanwhile, he appealed to the Christian community in the state to perform prayers in their respective churches on coming Sunday to protect the churches from demolition and prevent any untoward consequences that would be coming up if the government goes ahead with its plan.
