From Our Correspondent
TURA: As many as 35 senior religious heads from various churches of Garo Hills, under the aegis of the United Christian Peace Forum (UCPF), recently got together to appeal to the ANVC and the GNLA to refrain from violence and seek a meaningful dialogue while calling upon the State Government to create a conducive atmosphere for peace talks.
The church elders have also appealed to the GNLA to call off their proposed bandh from 5 am to 5 pm on September 12, 13 and 14 in the three districts of Garo Hills as it would adversely affect the daily bread earners and school-going children.
The forum held a meeting in the office headquarters of the Garo Baptist Forum in Tura and members expressed concern over the prevailing situation that could affect the normal life of citizens, particularly the rural poor and school-going children.
One of the highlights of the meeting was an appeal to the State Government not to treat the ongoing insurgency situation as merely a law and order problem but rather to strike at the root causes of such issues that may be traced back to corruption and deprivation.
The Church also appealed for army operations to be sensitive to the needs of the common people and the local communities and to desist from human rights violations- particularly on the women folk and innocent youth.
With the ongoing war of words taking place between the ANVC and the GNLA, the church elders have appealed to both groups to refrain from violence and fiery speeches that arouse unhealthy emotions creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity.
“We also appeal to the public to refrain from sending provocative messages through print and electronic media which are detrimental to building up of peace and trust,” stated the UCPF members.
The forum’s meeting was presided over by Rev. Greater Burn R Marak, president of Garo Baptist Church and was attended by Rt. Rev. Bishop Andrew R Marak of Tura Diocese, Rodrick D Shira, president of Council of Baptist Churches of North East India (CBCNEI) and Rev. Rethiar G Momin, secretary of Garo Baptist Convention.
Later the adhoc central body of the UCPF was formed with the objective of working unitedly for peace and development of Garo Hills.
The adhoc central body consists of Rev. Greater Burn R Marak as the president, Rev. Fr. Nicholas Sangma as joint president, Rev Manhseng A Momin as secretary, Rev. Fr Janurius Sangma as joint secretary, Rev Darwin P K Sangma as treasurer, and Rev. Fr Sunny Marveille as programme secretary.
The body will also be represented by leaders of different units as in Rev. Fr Huberth T Sangma and Pastor Dalim M Sangma of Williamnagar, Sengban G Momin and Rev. Julian Murphy N Marak of Baghmara, Stallin Ch Momin and Rev. Alpha Sengba D Marak of Resu-Mendi area.
Other special representatives of the body are Rt. Rev. Bishop Andrew R Marak, Rodrick D Shira and Rev. Rethiar G Momin.