|
Friday, 31 July 2009: Since July 15, an economic
blockade on National Highways 39 and 53 in Manipur,
India, has hindered all passing trucks from carrying
goods into and out of the state. Price hikes in
petroleum and food have left many villagers, including
Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries, in need of
assistance.
The blockade was imposed by the All Tribal Students
Union Manipur (ATSUM) in order to “demand implementation
of policies meant for tribals,” said ATSUM Information
and Publicity Secretary, Gaisingam. According to ATSUM,
the rights of the tribal people have been ignored by the
Manipur government. ATSUM has threatened that the
blockade will go on indefinitely until change is
witnessed.
One particular demand of ATSUM is for action on the
proposal of a site by the government for the Indira
Gandhi National Tribal University. So far, the group
said, all correspondences on this issue have been
disregarded.
Another issue involves an act that sets aside a certain
number of government jobs for the tribals and
minorities. ATSUM claims that the act has some
“misleading sections and clauses that can be
misinterpreted to the disadvantage of the tribal
people.”
Despite the declaration that the blockade will continue,
it was relaxed for 24 hours starting July 27, allowing
70 trucks carrying goods to be escorted by the state
security force. But it has since been resumed.
A new consequence of the blockade has developed
affecting the Christians living in the area.
“The government of Manipur has decided to evict the
churches that are located at the government quarters,” a
GFA field correspondent wrote.
The specific reasons for this action are currently
unknown, but the government has decided to evict 11 out
of 45 churches situated on its property.
The president of the All Manipur Christian Organization
and other Christian leaders in the area are meeting with
the Christian ministers and Members of the Legislative
Assembly (MLA) to ask that the decision be revoked.
Gospel for Asia-supported missionaries working in the
area have yet to be affected by this new development.
They have requested prayers for a quick and peaceful
resolution
|
