Manipur Unrest: Men-women kneel in prayers along NH-2 seeking peace

By Kaybie Chongloi

A 40 km long human chain along National Highway-2 that passes through Kangpokpi district in Manipur. Thousands of people, mostly women, some standing, some sitting, and some kneeling on the wet ground, braving the rain, all praying in unison to the Lord for peace to return and stay in Manipur.

The human chain stretched from Taphou Kuki, the village on the border of Kangpokpi district and Senapati District till Gamgiphai village, on the border of Kangpokpi district with Imphal West. The men and women mourned the deaths of people from both the communities in the current Manipur violence and prayed for their eternal peace. The call for a human chain and prayers given by the Kuki Nampi Taona (KNT), the apex body of the Kukis prayer cell.

The Kuki Nampi Taona leaders put up a giant cross at the border gate of Kangpokpi at Gamgiphai village.

Rev. S.T. Onmang Haokip, Advisor KNT said that the Kuki community has been praying for the people of Manipur since the eruption of violence in state. “God will answer our prayers for the peace of our land”.

Nunnem Haokip, member of the KNT at Saparmeina said, “We stand in solidarity with the people from both communities who have lost their lives in the violence, we are also here condoling their death and prayed passionately for their souls to rest in peace”.

She also said that the Central Government intervention is now our only hope while stating that invoking Article 365 (President Rule) in the state of Manipur could help in finding the solution to the present Manipur crisis.

Another member of the KNT, Tracy Kipgen said that it is the culmination day of the KNT’s five day fasting prayer across the district at various Churches.

She also said that today is also considered as a mourning day as we have lost many of our dear husbands, sons and brothers while defending and protecting our land and people and similarly the other community also lost many of their people.

“We are mourning and condoling the deaths from both the communities and also prayed for their souls to rest in peace”, she added.