Imphal, April 21 (IANS) The All India Christian Council (AICC) Thursday welcomed Manipur government's appointment of a Christian representative in the state minority commission saying it would serve better the minorities in the northeastern state.The AICC, an apex body of the Christian communities in India, in a statement said: 'The appointment of the Christian member N. Debendra Singh to the minority commission came after the request and recommendation of the council.'
Quoting AICC president Joseph D'souza, the statement said: 'This was a long awaited and much needed appointment by the Manipur government. Now the appointment of the representative from Muslim, Christian and Buddhist communities to the state minorities' commission would serve each communities' welfare better.'
The Manipur government recently reconstituted the six-member state commission for minorities headed by A. Halim Choudhury, a retired IAS officer.
AICC secretary general John Dayal said: 'Manipur in recent times has experienced a high level of human rights violations against Christian minorities. The appointment of the Christian member in the commission would help the state provide and protect the religious freedom and fundamental rights to all communities, particularly the minority Christian members.'
In Manipur, Christians constitute 32 percent of the total 2.7 million population.
Over 5.5 million Christians live in Mizoram, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur, while there are some Christians in the other northeastern states.
