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NORTH AMERICAN Newsline JULY 07, 2023 | The Indian Eye 26

Indian-American community

in New York demands to stop

violence in Manipur

OUR BUREAU

New York, NY
A
group of concerned from the
Indian American Community
met regarding all the violence
happening in Manipur, India, at San-
toor Restaurant on Saturday, June
24, 2023. Dr. Anna George, Associate
Professor at Molloy University, led the
meeting. The program was attended
by about 23 eminent community lead-
ers of various organizations and Hu-
manitarians who expressed genuine
concerns regarding Manipur violence
and the fate of Christians in Manipur.
After the self-introduction, Dr.
George addressed the gathering and
voiced her serious concerns regarding
the violence happening in Manipur.
She stated that regardless of whether
the victims of these horrific riots are
Christians or not, we should help them
because of humanitarian concerns.
“What is taking place in Manipur is
horrible violations of human rights
and religious freedom,” Dr. George
added. She pointed out that over 200
churches were burnt down, about 100
or more people were killed, and about
80,000 people were displaced. “They Rajendra Vora (eft) and Amish Doshi
are finding shelter in the forest; they
have no homes to return to, so we
must decide to do something to help violence by putting pressure on the pressed their shock and surprise at the the people in Manipur who have lost
the victims in Manipur .” Dr. George government. Many who attended the slow walk by the central government their homes and everything their own
implored the gathering. meeting came up with suggestions to to arrest and punish these radical ele- and will also cooperate with other or-
Mr. George Abraham spoke help victims of this horrific disaster. ments, which are on the loose. Most of ganizations in joint efforts. Mr. Koshy
in detail about the suffering of the Ms. Annie Sabu stated that we should the participants are convinced that the George, the President of the Federa-
Christians in the Kuki tribal commu- seek the help of legislature and polit- burning of the Churches in Meitei’s tion of Indian Christian Organizations
nity who have been primarily target- ical officials here to make Americans heartland proves that the destruction in North America (FIACONA), laud-
ed. He also stated that the churches in aware of the human rights violations of properties belonging to Christians ed the initiative and appreciated those
the Meitei villages were burnt down, happening in Manipur. Ms. Bessy and ethnic cleansing appears to be who have come forward and pledged
which shows that they specifically tar- Thangavelu stated that we should part of the larger agenda of those who his support to help the cause.
get Christians. He went on to say that reach out to Indian Christian leaders are perpetrating these heinous crimes Mr. V.M. Chacko, Raju Abra-
the government appears to be neither and church officials in the US who will in Manipur. ham, John Joseph, Biju Chacko, John
helping to quell the riots nor providing be able to mobilize supporters to raise The meeting also decided to Joseph, Joshua Jayasingh, Gajendran
adequate shelter, food, and medicines awareness regarding this issue and to- create further awareness and influ- Ganesan, Mary Philip, Mathew P
to those who have become refugees in gether formulate a plan of action. ence decision-makers on the nature Thomas, and Dr. Leno Thomas also
their own homeland. The meeting passed a resolution of these riots and expose the vicious spoke. And voiced their concerns re-
Dr. Anna George requested all condemning all the violence and not- agenda practiced by those in power to- garding the atrocities happening in
the participants to think and come ed that the rioters’ objective appeared day, violating the oath they have taken Manipur and gave many practical sug-
up with ideas on how we can help to be the ethnic cleansing of Christians to uphold constitutional values. There gestions to help the victims and com-
the victims in Manipur and stop the from their tribal land. Participants ex- will also be a fundraising effort to help bat the issues.

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