No Immanuel Meitei Fellowship Church ever exists in Kangpokpi district, claims civic bodies

The Kangpokpi Town Committee (KTC), and the Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship (KTCF) audibly and collectively clarified that there is no such Church in the name of Immanuel Meitei Fellowship Church, ever existed in Kangpokpi Town.

The two bodies' clarification came in the aftermath of a social activist, Philem Rohan Singh's statement a few days ago in a press conference at Chennai Press Club alleging that the Kuki-Zo Christian community had even burnt down Immanuel Meitei Fellowship Church at Shanti Veng in Kangpokpi town.

Following the alleged unfounded and misleading statement of Philem Rohan Singh, the Kangpokpi Town Committee, and the Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship, the apex body of all Churches within Kangpokpi Town, held a meeting at Kangpokpi Town Committee office today and collectively condemned the false and misleading statement of Philem Rohan Singh.

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The two bodies clarified that there are a few Meitei Christians in the town who took membership in various Churches under the Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship but they did not have a separate Church or structure in the past and at present rather they have mingled with the Kuki-Zo Christians by taking a membership at various Churches in the town.

They also clarified that rather than Ibungo Singh, who is a member of one of the Churches in the town recognized by the Kangpokpi Town Churches Fellowship, there is no such Pastor Ibungo Singh as claimed falsely by Philem Rohan Singh.

Sesei Sitlhou, Spokesperson of Kangpokpi Town Committee, while briefing the media on behalf of the two bodies, said that it is very "unfortunate" that a person like Philem Rohan Singh blatantly made such an unfounded and misleading statement during a press conference at Chennai Press Club without verifying the authenticity of his source as such false narrative and misleading information could create more fissure among the warring communities in the strife-torn Manipur.

He then clarified that there is no such Immanuel Meitei Fellowship Church and also there is no Pastor Ibungo Singh anywhere in Kangpokpi town.

While strongly condemning the false and misleading statement of Philem Rohan Singh, the two bodies appeal to the social activist to clarify his statement at the earliest to avoid further misunderstanding and to stop such misleading information which has become a culture-contributing huge role to the unceasing violence in the state.