IMPHAL, Feb 6: On the second day of his visit to Manipur, Dr HT Sangliana, vice-chairman, National Commission for Minorities visited three villages of Phayeng, Taothong and Phumlou in Imphal West and investigated reported burning down of Meitei Christian Churches of the villages on May, 10, 2009.
A statement of the Manipur State Minorities Commission said Dr Sangliana was accompanied with a delegation of the MSMC led by its chairperson, A Halim Chowdhury and secretary MR Sheikh and others.
It said the leaders of the Meitei Christian communities reported to the team that the three Churches at Phayeng, Taothong and Phumlou were burnt down on the midnight of May, 10, 2009 without any prior information and warning to the authority concerned.
Properties worth about Rs 3 lakhs were burnt and damaged during the incident and the villagers further made complaints to the Commission chairman to provide protection from being deprived of the freedom of following any religion as enshrined in the Indian Constitution.
The statement further said Dr Sangliana noted all the complaints and assured that he would look into the matter at his level best and discuss about it with the government of Manipur.
Dr Sangliana will be in the state till February 9 and he will discuss all the issues of the minorities with top officials of the government including the chief secretary and DGP, the statement added.
Source: Imphal Free Press
Meitei Christians pour out grievances to Sangliana
