The Catholic Association of Shillong has petitioned President Droupadi Murmu seeking action on the atrocities permeated to the innocent people in strife-torn Manipur.
The association organised a silent peace rally in the city and expressed anguish over the incidents in Manipur especially the atrocities against women.
Thousands joined the rally where the petition to the President was also read out.
“We hope and believe that your concerned authority would not be silent on such atrocities that bleed this country and we also pray for your swift and immediate actions to be strong enough to send the message of peace and harmony by taking all the necessary steps to protect the lives and properties, restoring human dignity and upholding the principle of unity in diversity as guaranteed by the supreme law of the land, the Indian Constitution,” the petition reads.
Condemning the prolonged ethnic violence in Manipur and the heinous crimes against women the petition said, “The violence is also a systematic attack on Christians where more than 249 churches within the Imphal Valley of the State of Manipur were vandalized and burned down to ashes.”
The citizens said that the Manipur State machinery has failed miserably in all aspects as instead of protecting the innocents, it suppressed all facts and remained a silent spectator favouring one group of people over the other.
“As citizens of India, our collective consciousness is shaken by these acts of brutality, outraged at the impunity of the savaged mob and the instigators. Such barbaric acts could not have happened without the support of the people in power, and this incorrigible shameless violation of women, brutal murders of innocents and attacks on places of worship and Institutions are deplorable and intolerable,” they said.
“As the responsible of this country, we demand that the perpetrators of this violence as well as the perpetrators of the apathetic system be duly punished,” the petition further reads and urged the Present for her direct intervention to issue necessary directions to all law enforcement agencies responsible for the security of the people of this country and also various concerned commissions such as Human Rights Commission and other commissions for the protection of women and children, both in the central and state level, to take Suo motu on all the lawless situations/ incidents that are pertaining with the state of Manipur.
Church leaders of different denominations, school students, and leaders of different political parties also took part at the rally which began from Madan Iewrynghep to Don Bosco Square in Laitumkhrah followed by a prayer meeting at St Anthony’s HS School stadium.
A signature campaign and lighting of candles for peace in Manipur was also held.
