National Commission for Minorities: Forgotten Chingmeirong Church Attack

Date: Wed, 8 Sep 2010 Subject: for Immediate Release - National Commission for Minorities Summoned Manipur Chief Secretary. AICC Submitted Fact Finding Report on Christian Attacks in Manipur For Immediate Press Release NCM Summoned Manipur Chief Secretary on Forgotten Chingmeirong Church Attack 15 Days Notice Served for Submission of Charge Sheet All India Christian Council Submitted Fact-Finding Report Demanded a Christian Member Appointed in State Minority Commission For details, Madhu Chandra - Public Relation Secretary can be contacted at +91 9716004939 New Delhi, September 8, 2010 National Commission for Minorities summoned Chief Secretary of Manipur Mr. D. S. Poonia yesterday at Commission office against the failure of the state Government to take up the case of Chingmeirong church attack. Commission served 15 days notice to Manipur Government to submit charge sheet. All India Christian Council submitted fact-finding report to Commission and Manipur Government. Village Council of Chingmeirong Kabui at heart of Imphal city of India's northeast state Manipur passed an unconstitutional resolution and served notice to the members of the village, converted to Christianity. The Notice of resolution put up at the village gate in Manipuri reads: "No Christian activities like prayer, worship, singing and preaching is allowed within Chingmeirong Kabui village Ward No. 173, any living person violating this order will be punished under the rules and regulation of the village council - By Order Village Council/Village Chief, Chingmeirong." Under this unconstitutional resolution, members of the village destroyed church building and Christian home. On April 3, 2008, the Chingmeirong Kabui village council served notice to Mr. Kaphun Kamei and his wife of the same village to fine large size of pig and Rs 5000 according to customary law and asked to leave the village. When Kaphun Kamei and his family did not follow the order of the village council, the villagers attacked and destroyed his home and church building at his private compound on December 14, 2008. The case was reported to local police and seven of the accused were arrested and released on bail. Since then, neither police nor Manipur Government took any action to book the culprits and give justice to the victims. All India Christian Council submitted a memorandum to the Chief Secretary of Manipur on December 17, 2008 to look into the matter of unconstitutional rules and regulation made by the Chingmeirong Kabui village, which violate the basic fundamental rights provided under the Constitution of India. When Manipur Government did not respond to the memorandum submitted, Christian Council wrote to National Commission for Minorities on February 2, 2009. Thereafter NCM wrote to the Chief Secretary of Manipur on July 7, 2010 and summoned following to the response where adequate action not taken to bring judgment to the perpetuators and justice to the victims. NCM gave 15 days notice to the Chief Secretary of Manipur to submit the charge sheet of the case and Commission will write to Manipur Government to compensate the victim and to the lost of properties. Christian Council has also appealed NCM and Manipur Government to instruct Chingmeirong Kabui village council to revoke the unconstitutional rules and regulation passed for Christians in the village. Rev. Madhu Chandra - Public Relation Secretary and Advocate Lansinglu Rongmei - Legal Secretary of All India Christian Council submitted fact-finding report conducted in March 2004, where 20 cases of Christian attack took place in Manipur from 1990 to 2004. Over 10 churches and Christian homes destroyed by anti-Christian elements, the village authorities in many villages segregate many Meitei Christians, Rongmei Christians and Nepali Christians. "The Chief Secretary of Manipur, Mr. D. S. Poonia had no idea about the series of attack on Christians in Manipur. When Dr. H. T. Sangliana - Vice Chairman of NCM, who chaired the hearing in retirement of Chairman, referred the fact-finding report to Mr. Poonia, he refused acknowledge the crimes committed against Christian minorities which were reported in local news papers and cases are registered local police stations," says Madhu Chandra. In a memorandum submitted to NCM, All India Christian Council demands an appointment of a Meitei Christian member in Manipur State Minority Commission. "Since series of attack on Christian minorities taking place, unless and until a member from vulnerable communities appointed in State Minority commission, it will be incomplete to serve the interest of community," says Mr. Chandra. All India Christian Council led by Secretary General Dr. John Dayal also the member of National Integration Council will conduct another fact-finding mission from 17 - 19 September and Independent Tribunal be held at Imphal on September 18, 2010. The report of the fact-finding and Independent tribunal will be submitted to NCM and Manipur Government. The All India Christian Council (www.christiancouncil.in), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders. Released by Ashis Kumar Media In-charge +9125084561