Shillong (Meghalaya), May 5 : A day after about 24 churches have been desecrated, ransacked or burnt down, we hear reports of many more churches bearing the brunt of this sacrilegious and inhuman onslaught of hatred against Christians in the region, specifically at the moment in Manipur. While the majority of the victims are Christians who are indigenous to the land and who are presently living in fear of the night, now we hear that even Meitei Christians and their churches as well as other places of worship have been targeted.
The KJCLF categorically condemns the perpetrators of violence on members of tribal and Christian communities as well as destruction of places of worship in Manipur and conveys its condolences to the families of all those who have lost their lives in the wake of all this rampage. The Forum stands in solidarity with those who have been affected by this and who have been evacuated from their dwellings and given shelter in paramilitary camps, and exhorts them to remain strong, vigilant and united together.
The Forum appeals to the ruling dispensation in both the State of Manipur and the Centre to expeditiously bring an end to this lawlessness and initiate other means to resolve issues which affect the very existence of our fellow citizens irrespective of religion or ethnicity. It also implores upon the Chief Minister of Meghalaya to intercede with his counterpart in Manipur to protect the lives and properties of the tribals and Christians in the State including their places of worship.
The KJCLF calls on all Christians and leaders of different Churches in the region to join in prayer and come together to address these issues which affect the welfare of the people and communities in many ways.
