All Manipur Christian Organisation condemns demolition of three churches

The authorities in Manipur demolished the Evangelical Baptist Convention Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church Manipur, and Catholic Holy Spirit Church in the state capital, Imphal, on March 11

The All Manipur Christian Organisation (AMCO) has expressed its dismay over the demolition of three churches belonging to different denominations in the state, which has a Christian population of 41 percent.

The authorities in Manipur demolished the Evangelical Baptist Convention Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church Manipur, and Catholic Holy Spirit Church in the state capital, Imphal, on March 11, citing that they were built on government land without permission.

In a press release, AMCO condemned the demolition of the Christian places of worship and stated that it had created a “nightmare and fear psychosis” among the people living in and around the demolished churches. The organization also highlighted that the government had demolished only Christian worship places, despite a Supreme Court instruction for the regularization, relocation, or removal of unauthorized religious structures.

AMCO noted that a Manipur policy for the review of unauthorized Construction of religious structures was framed under the Supreme Court’s directive. A proposal for regularization of 188 religious structures in five districts was approved by the state cabinet on October 11, 2011, and subsequently regularized on October 27, 2011. However, not a single church or Christian worship place was included in the regularization, which the Christian body claimed was a discriminatory decision of the government.
The AMCO statement urged the government to follow the noble ideals of secularism enshrined in the Constitution and called upon all churches and denominations in Manipur to share the grief and sorrow of their brethren at Tribal Colony. It further reiterated its commitment to uphold the spirit of love, care, and fraternity among the people of Manipur, irrespective of caste, creed, and religion.

Chief Minister N Biren Singh had defended the demolition stating that it was in accordance with the Court order of April 4.

The High Court bench of Acting Chief Justice M.V. Muralidaran on April 4 said that the decision of the state authorities in evicting the respondent churches were based on the documents, policy decisions, and pursuant to the directions of the Supreme Court.

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