Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, May 27:
Taking serious note of the alleged installation of an idol of Durga at the Imoinu temple of Kwatha, the Threatened Indigenous Peoples' Society (TIPS) remarked that the repeated and rampant acts of violating the ethos and basic principles of democracy by security forces is shameful and contradicts the claim that the country is the largest democracy in the world.
A statement issued by TIPS termed it very unfortunate for the Meitei community as the legislators could not produce a factual report of the incident during the Assembly session held for several days.
Under such circumstances, the secularism as enshrined in the Constitution of India has been reduced to nought.
The Right to Freedom of Religion as guaranteed by Article 25-28 of the Constitution is being violated by the security forces in the most blatant manner here in Manipur, asserted TIPS.
It is the responsibility of all the people, particularly the proponents of democracy to ensure the right to freedom of religion to the people of Kwatha.
Citing the case of subjugation of minority Hindus in Pakistan after partition, TIPS asked whether curtailing the right to freedom of religion a gift of the merger of Manipur with the Indian Union.
Asserting that the security forces have been indulging in various criminal activities and atrocities , both overt and covert, against the indigenous peoples of the State, TIPS noted that existing State Assembly has miserably failed to fulfil its purpose.
As law generally ignore passive citizens, it is the sole responsibility of the people of Manipur to safeguard their rights, noted TIPS.