The Supreme Court, on Friday, deliberated on a plea presented by the Meitei Christian Churches Council, Manipur (MCCCM), drawing attention to the widespread destruction of churches amidst the prevailing ethnic tensions in the region.
Presiding over the matter, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud directed the petitioner to furnish a copy of the plea to both the State Government and the judges’ committee established by the Court. Representing the MCCCM, Senior Advocate Huzefa Ahmadi voiced the community’s concerns, stating that neither the State nor the Central government took adequate measures to prevent the demolition of 240 churches belonging to the Meitei Christians in Manipur during these communal disturbances.
The petition elucidated,
“These church properties and its grounds are being repurposed for alternate uses. In numerous instances, essential title documents were either stolen or incinerated along with the church properties, leaving the Petitioners devoid of any documentary proof. If the repurposing of church properties for other communities isn’t halted forthwith, the Petitioners might never regain them.”
In light of these events, the petition has called for immediate intervention to halt any further desecration of church properties and to ensure their preservation. It further emphasizes,
“The Meitei Christians should be permitted to assemble and worship at the church properties under the safeguard of police protection.”
The plea also underscores the State’s failure to fulfill its promises. Despite various rehabilitation and compensation schemes announced by the State authorities, churches have been left out. The State government has also reportedly neglected the Supreme Court’s directives to offer relief and restoration for the devastated places of worship.
The MCCCM has been proactive in its efforts to seek intervention. The council had previously reached out to the Governor of Manipur, highlighting the rampant pillaging and destruction of church assets and urging immediate action. Regrettably, their appeals went unanswered. Subsequent representations were made to the Home Minister, the Secretary of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Chief Minister of Manipur, and again to the Governor of Manipur. These communications reiterated the destruction of 240 churches across various districts and called for an inquiry into the causes of such devastation. Yet, the authorities remained unresponsive.
Concluding their plea, the petitioners are urging the court to issue directives to the concerned authorities, mandating the implementation of relief, rehabilitation, and restoration measures for the places of worship in Manipur. Meitei Christian Community’s Plea on Church Damage Reaches Supreme Court
