The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on May 15, “condemned” the violence in Manipur and appealed for peace in the state. The national secretary general Milind Parande in a press statement said, “VHP strongly condemned the gruesome attacks by Kuki militants on Meitei Samaj and their places of worship in Manipur”.
Parade further said that not only churches but temples had been “destroyed” during the violent clashes between two communities in the state.
The VHP released district-wise data on the temples of the Meitei community in Manipur hills, which are either “burnt or destroyed”, during the clashes. Parade said in the statement, “We are already serving the affected people, now the Hindu society needs to come forward to rebuild these temples.”
The note says, “11 big temples were destroyed, comprising 4 temples of Tengaupal and Morech, 3 of Tipaimukh Churchanpur and 4 of Chingoi Ching Imphal East,”
He added, ‘Other than the temples many properties in the states have been demolished or razed to the ground in the clashes between two communities.’
“Now the Hindu society needs to come forward to rebuild the damaged or destroyed temples,” he added.
“The VHP is serving the affected people and providing them food and health care services,” he added.
“VHP appealed that peace and restraint must be exercised and the anti-national and anti-social elements must be controlled. Elements and organizations trying to disrupt peace in the region must be taken to task strictly,” the statement said.
Notably, a curfew was broken in the state after violence broke out on May 3, this year. The state administration had to cut the internet supply in the area as a measure to take the situation under control.
The Meitei community demanded Scheduled Tribe status, and a rally was organized by the All Tribals Students Union (ATSU) Manipur on May 3, which later turned violent.
As of now, as many as 71 people lost their lives while more than 230 were left injured, and close to 1700 houses were burnt down during the violence in Manipur. Including this religious places were also set ablaze. The condition is critical as nearly 5,800 people have fled from the violence-hit State to Mizoram and taken shelter in various districts.
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