Imphal, Jul 27 : The All Manipur Christian Organization (AMCO) has intensified its ongoing campaign in the hills for persuading pastors and church leaders of the insurgency-hit state to remain neutral during election period.
This comes at a time when political parties have begun groundwork for the coming assembly polls likely to be held early next year. Out of total 60 legislators in the assembly, 20 are from the five hill districts of Senapati, Ukhrul, Tamenglong, Chandel and Churachanpur.
On Tuesday, Amco organized its 4th Pastors Advocacy Meeting at the Senapati district headquarters, which was attended by a large number of church leaders, pastors and Christians.
"Since the church is one of the most powerful institutions for Christians, pastors and church leaders should act impartially during the election period. We have launched our campaign to motivate them," said Amco president Rev Prim Vaiphei told this reporter on Tuesday.
Under any circumstance, church leaders should not interfere with poll-related matters though there might be threats and intimidations from several quarters, including the underground organizations, added Vaiphei.
"Who would come out to take up this task when the church leaders fail to advocate free and fair polls?" questioned Vaiphei. He, nevertheless, said Amco was a non-political organization and has nothing to do politics. "If any church leader is found indulging in poll malpractices or being influenced by any political party , the respective church would take action against the wrong-doers," warned Vaiphei.
Besides this, Amco is also campaigning against poppy and ganja cultivation by Christians in the hills and the indulgence of certain pastors in child trafficking cases.
On Monday, Amco held its campaign (seminar) at KBC centre church in Senapati under the motto "Truth, Justice, Love, Peace and Equality."
"We will hold similar seminars in Ukhrul on August 9 and at Churachanpur town later. We will also do so in other sub-divisions and small towns in the hills," said Vaiphei.
In May last year, Amco was instrumental in bringing about a solution to the ban on entry of Manipur vehicles in Nagaland by Naga Students' Federation (NSF) after holding talks with its Nagaland counterpart- Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC)- and various Naga civil bodies of the neighboring state.
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