A human chain prayer was held in Kangpokpi district condoling the loss of precious lives from both the communities in the strife-torn Manipur state even if two firing incidents were reported Sunday at midnight in Kangpokpi district.
While the Kuki Nampi Taona, the apex body of the Kuki's prayer cell, was preparing to organsze a human chain prayer along the 40 km stretch on National Highway-2 passing through Kangpokpi district, miscreants attacked Hengjang village near Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district at around Sunday midnight.
Then, a few minutes later, Phaileng village in a sensitive peripheral area of Kangpokpi district near Sekmai was also reportedly attacked with sophisticated weapons for a few minutes with no report of any casualties.
Following the violence on Sunday night, thousands were seen on Monday morning, braving the rain and forming a human chain from Taphou Kuki village, the bordering village of Kangpokpi district with Senapati district to Gamgiphai village, the bordering village of Kangpokpi district with Imphal West, passionately praying and mourning the deaths of both the communities in the current Manipur crisis.
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The participants were also seen putting up Gospel words along the roadside as they prayed for divine intervention for justice and peace.
They also prayed for Prime Minister Narendra Modi to break his silence in the form of invoking Article 365 (President Rule) in the state of Manipur to find a solution and bring justice to the problems.
The Kuki Nampi Taona leaders were seen putting up a giant cross at the border gate of Kangpokpi at Gamgiphai village, symbolizing protection from God.
Rev ST Onmang Haokip, Advisor KNT, as he declared open the human chain prayer said that the Kuki community has been praying unceasingly for the people of Manipur since the eruption of violence in the state.
"God will answer our prayer for peace in our land", asserted the KNT advisor.
Nunnem Haokip, a member of the KNT at Saparmeina, said that "in solidarity with the people from both communities who have lost their lives in the violence, we are also here condoling their death and prayed passionately for their souls to rest in peace." She believed that only God can only heal and bring peace to the communities and the state of Manipur through the intervention of the Central government with divine presence.
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She also said that the Central government intervention is now their only hope while opining that invoking Article 365 (President Rule) in the state of Manipur could help in finding the solution to the present Manipur crisis.
Another member of the KNT, Tracy Kipgen said that it is the culmination day of the KNT's five-day fasting prayer across the district at various Churches.
She also said that today is also considered a mourning day as we have lost many of our dear husbands, sons, and brothers while defending and protecting our land and people and similarly the other community also lost many of their people.
"We are mourning and condoling the deaths from both the communities and prayed for their souls to rest in peace", she added.
