Catholic families who were displaced from Leingangching village in May,2010 on account of issues relating to religious freedom have finally resettled in the village through mutual understanding with intervention of the authorities.
The resettlement was carried out through the coordination and administration of of Kamjong district deputy commissioner Rangnamei Rang Peter and SDO, Kamjong district Rang David in the presence of priests, All Manipur Catholic Union (AMCU), Tangkhul Catholic Council (TCC) and its unit, and Leingangching (S Laho) and Sikibung villagers, stated a release.
After 14 years, five families of Leingangching (S Laho) under Sikibung Village were reinstated to the village with a liberty to practice faith/religion of their choice after they were forcefully chased out from the village by the village authority on account of their conversion to Catholic church which went against their ‘one village one denomination’ rule, it stated.
It further said that on January 16, 2018 and May 8, 2019, the verdicts on the legal case under WP(C) 651 of 2017 and Contempt Case (C) No 141 of 2018, between Sikibung village and All Manipur Catholic Union (AMCU) in the High Court of Manipur was pronounced as, “..there shall not be any denominational activity dividing the existing religion i.e. Baptist Christianity, is unconstitutional and hence illegal and void, being violative of articles 25 & 26 of the Constitution of India” and that “… the petitioners are entitled to enter and settle in Leingangching village.”
However, it was only on Saturday that the parties came into agreement to settle the issue “in the spirit of ‘Forgive and Forget’, mutual respect and trust, and in Christian spirit,” it mentioned.
Rangnamei Rang Peter, Kamjong DC took extra efforts by convening series of meetings with both Leingangching and Sikibung village and in constant touch with AMCU, it stated.
AMCU president C Matthew Kamei expressed his joy that the village has finally honored the court’s verdict adding that such a day has come after a long suffering of 14 years of displacement.
Expressing his satisfaction at the settlement programme, chairman Leingangching (S Laho), Thanreiwung Shokwungnao called on the Catholic converts to forgive and forget and move on to live as one villager and one community, it mentioned.
Meanwhile, Ningmachan Ramrak, one of the displaced persons expressed his joy and relief saying, “I feel as if I am flying in my dreams. I am at total peace. I feel as if a big burden on my shoulder has been lifted and I feel extremely light” it added.
He acknowledged Priests and the Catholic community for their love and continued support. To live as human beings, we should be kind towards each other, he added.
