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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Authorities prepare 50 master trainers to dispel fears about disposal of Carbide waste in Dhar
Dhar (PTI): Authorities in Madhya Pradesh's Dhar district on Monday started coaching 50 master trainers about 337 tonnes of Union Carbide factory waste brought to Pithampur for incineration before they set out to spread awareness that the waste is not hazardous.
The state government has gone on the backfoot after the public outcry against waste disposal and two self-immolation bids in the Pithampur industrial area, which witnessed protests earlier this month.
Talking to PTI, Dhar Collector Priyank Mishra said, "We are preparing 50-odd master trainers, including science teachers, professors and officials. They will be informed about the exact status of the waste before they reach out to people to dispel misinformation."
On January 6, the principal bench of the Madhya Pradesh High Court in Jabalpur granted the state government six weeks to act on the Union Carbide factory waste disposal as per the safety guidelines. The authorities had sought time to educate people and dispel their fear about waste disposal following protests in Pithampur.
Mishra said the master trainers will start their outreach on Tuesday, and 50 more master trainers will be roped in.
"We will give presentations via video with content and other mediums to master trainers," he said.
On January 2, the waste, packed in 12 sealed containers, was shifted from the now-defunct Union Carbide factory in Bhopal to the disposal site at Pithampur, located 250 km from the state capital.
It has 700 factories in three sectors.
Hours after it reached Pithampur, protests commenced in the industrial town, around 50 km from the Dhar district headquarters.
The agitators had claimed that the disposal would harm humans and the environment.
On the intervening night of December 2-3, 1984, highly toxic methyl isocyanate gas leaked from the Union Carbide pesticide factory in Bhopal, killing at least 5,479 persons and leaving thousands with serious injuries and long-lasting health issues.
During a hearing on December 3, 2024, the high court pulled up the authorities for failing to dispose of the waste at the defunct Union Carbide factory.
The court had asked the government to remove and transport the waste from the site within four weeks and warned of contempt proceedings if it failed to act on the directive.
