A special prayer meeting for 'Peace in Manipur' is being organised by the All India Christian Council (aicc) on May 22 in New Delhi.
Citing the verse ‘Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God', an appeal by the Christian council requested “earnest prayers” for peace to prevail in Manipur in the backdrop of escalating violence.
"Peace, love, friendship and harmony of people in Manipur are shaken. We need God's guidance and wisdom so the economic blockade can be called off and normal life can return to Manipur," said Rev. Madhu Chandra, regional secretary of aicc.
In its appeal, the aicc lamented that the common and innocent people in hills and valley of Manipur were suffering without food and other commodities due to the economic blockade for last one month.
"The life has reached its most difficult stage without food and essential commodities. There is acute shortage of fuel, which has affected students not being able to go to schools and colleges. Hospitals have run out of oxygen, there is shortage of medicines," it said.
Unrest in Manipur was sparked after the government's decision not to allow a Naga leader to visit his birthplace on grounds that it would provoke ethnic tensions.
Consequently, Naga groups in the state forced economic blockades leading to hospitals running out of medicines, acute fuel shortages and food rationing.
A litre of petrol is reportedly selling as high as Rs 220, while a cooking gas cylinder is being sold at anywhere between Rs 1,500 and Rs 1,700.
Dr Hrangthan Chhungi of National Council of Churches in India (NCCI) who last week travelled the state expressed shock over the skyrocketing prices and depravity of healthcare.
"The violence has totally paralysed life. As a matter of fact, the victims of this economic blockade are the poor women and children who barely can manage their daily needs," says Chhungi.
She urged for prayers so that violence can come to a halt and life of innocent people can be protected.
Manipur's Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh has apparently sent a delegation of Church leaders to Nagaland to sort out the crisis.
Government spokesperson N. Biren Singh told reporters that a nine-member delegation of the All Manipur Christian Organisation left to Nagaland on a goodwill mission.
“The Church delegation with church leaders in Nagaland will appeal to the All Naga Students Association, Manipur, and the United Naga Council to call off the indefinite economic blockade imposed on the Imphal-Dimapur and Imphal-Jiribam highways,” Biren Singh said, as reported by The Telegraph.
The chief minister is hoping that the Church leaders in Manipur and Nagaland will be able to convince the Naga students groups to lift the economic blockade that has brought life to standstill.
Ministries
Christians urged to pray for peace in Manipur
By: Dibin Samuel
Wednesday, 19 May 2010, 15:59 (IST)
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Have your say on this article
Added: Wednesday, 19 May 2010, 17:22 (IST)
It is heartening to know that Christian leaders have much concerns for the state of Manipur. I hope Christians in Nagaland and Manipur will have the same attitude. Let current imbroglio be resolved soon... the common people are the worst victim, not the power players.
Ajay Singh, Manipur
Added: Thursday, 20 May 2010, 15:58 (IST)
Hi D. Samuel, Thank you very much for this article. Our land indeed needs lots of prayers and God’s wisdom to defuse the present situation. I pray that the normal life of the state would return soon and the God will give his wisdom to our leaders to decide what’s best. The other day students in Delhi also decided to urge churches to pray for Manipur.
Cornelius, Delhi
Added: Monday, 24 May 2010, 1:01 (IST)
We just returned from Manipur on May 13 and experienced some of the long lines for fuel as we drove to Imphal. This is a sad event especially after the wonderful Gospel Centenary Celebration held in Lamka Public Grounds in Churachandpur. I praise God for Christian leaders who are calling on the Church to pray for a resolution. The Evangelical Congregational Church in the USA will also be praying!
Rev. Randall Sizemore, Myerstown, USA
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