Indian Christian Unity Forum writes to Prez of India, seeks help in restoring peace in Manipur
Bengaluru: The Christian community in Bengaluru, along with the support of the secular forum members in Karnataka, has submitted a memorandum to the President of India through the Governor of Karnataka, Thawar Chand Gehlot seeking the intervention of President in restoring peace in Manipur.
The memorandum highlights the grave situation faced by the people of Manipur, particularly the Christian community, where a series of targeted attacks have led to a gross violation of human rights. The plea emphasizes the urgent need for intervention to restore peace and safeguard the lives and properties of the affected individuals.
In recent months, Manipur has witnessed a distressing wave of violence, with numerous churches set ablaze, Christian families displaced from their homes, and a significant loss of lives. Shockingly, the State and Central Home Ministries have been accused of turning a blind eye to these incidents, allowing the situation to deteriorate further.
The memorandum presents alarming statistics that reflect the extent of destruction in Manipur:
Over 150 churches have been burned down.
The death toll has surpassed 200 innocent individuals.
More than 80 villages have been ravaged by fire.
A staggering 1,560 houses have been reduced to ashes.
Over 50,000 people have been rendered homeless, with this number steadily increasing.
Addressing the President of India, the Christian Community and secular forum members of Karnataka earnestly request immediate intervention to establish peace in Manipur. The memorandum implores the President to bring the grave situation to the attention of the Honourable Prime Minister and to initiate measures for the rehabilitation of the affected Christian population. It urges the restoration of houses, churches, and institutions, allowing the people of Manipur to live without fear of losing their properties and lives.
This united plea from the Christian Community and secular forum members of Karnataka stands in solidarity with the Manipur Christian community and the people of Manipur, calling for urgent action to alleviate their suffering and restore peace in the state.
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Real Madrid fines Valverde and Tchouaméni half a million euros each for altercation
Barcelona (AP): Real Madrid slapped players Federico Valverde and Aurélien Tchouaméni with half-a-million-euro ($588,000) fines on Friday for their altercation during practice.
The massive fines came a day after the midfielders tussled when the team trained. Valverde said in a post on social media on Thursday that no punches were thrown. But Valverde knocked his head on a table and he suffered a small cut that required a brief hospital visit.
On social media, Valverde initially called it a “meaningless fight” with a teammate and said “everything has been blown out of proportion."
His employers, however, considered it a significant enough breach of team discipline to nail both Valverde and Tchouaméni with fines that bite even the bank account of a top soccer player. The half-a-million euro penalties reflect the reputational damage the club was enduring in a chaotic end to a disappointing season.
In a statement, the 15-time European champion said its disciplinary action was concluded after both players expressed to the club “their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to one another.”
Madrid added they also apologized to their teammates, the coaching staff and club supporters, as well as showing their willingness to accept whatever disciplinary action the club deemed “opportune.”
Tchouaméni was back training with Madrid on Friday, two days before they play at Barcelona in a clasico. Madrid has to win otherwise Barcelona will be crowned La Liga champion.
After being notified of the fine, he posted a public apology to the club and its fans on social media.
“What happened this week in training is unacceptable,” Tchouaméni wrote. "I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school.
“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club.”
Valverde was not at practice due to the head knock.
Both players are set to play in the World Cup next month, with Tchouaméni playing for France and Valverde for Uruguay.
Chaotic end to a poor season
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The run-in between the players, who for seasons have played side by side in Madrid's midfield, came after they argued this week in previous training sessions. But tempers boiled over on Thursday. Spanish media was rife with reports that the players previously disagreed over the club's decision to let coach Xabi Alonso go after just months on the job.
It was not the only altercation involving Madrid players during training this week. Álvaro Carreras confirmed he was in a “minor” incident with a teammate. Spanish media said he and fellow defender Antonio Rüdiger got into a scuffle.
Álvaro Arbeloa, the coach who was promoted from Madrid's reserve team when Alonso was fired in January, will face tough questions on what went wrong inside the changing room when he gives a press conference on Saturday ahead of the clasico at Camp Nou.
Madrid is facing a second consecutive campaign without a major trophy amid rumors in the Spanish media that club president Florentino Pérez is considering bringing back Jose Mourinho to straighten out his underperforming team.
