Ukhrul, Jan 10: The Liwachangning Village Authority and the Church Centenary Celebration Planning Committee have strongly condemned in what it described as an act of vandalism targeting a memorial stone dedicated to the First Christian converts and the establishment of the Liwachangning Baptist Church.
Also read | Phiran Village Celebrates Success And Unity At Āngsung Alum 2025
In a condemnation note, the Liwachangning Village Authority, Chandel District, Manipur said the incident, carried out by unidentified miscreants, occurred in the lead-up to the Church Centenary Celebration scheduled for December 13-14, 2024.
The memorial stone, erected at a historically significant site known as Liwa Machet or Liwa Khunou, commemorated the Monsang settlers who they said, first embraced Christianity and established the village. The site lies within the village’s land boundaries and holds deep historical and spiritual significance for the community, it said.
Also read | CoTU issues 5-point reminder to ‘Concerned Communities’ including Nagas
According to the Liwachangning Village Authority, the foundation of the monument was completely destroyed, and the stone, measuring approximately 3 feet by 5 feet, was uprooted and removed. Despite efforts to trace the missing memorial, it remains unaccounted for.
Related | Kuki miscreants allegedly assault Naga woman at Zeliangrong Naga Village; CSOs’ intervention sought
“Such deliberate act secretly carried out with mala fide intention is a direct affront not only to the sentiments of the villagers but is also a grievous sacrilege to the Church and the memories of the First Christian converts which calls for condemnation in the strongest term by all,” stated the Village Authority and the Planning Committee.
Adding that the Village Authority has also appealed to neighboring communities and leaders to condemn the act, stating the importance of respecting cultural and religious symbols that hold collective value.
Must read | COCOMI condemns assault on Liangmai Naga woman in Konsakhul, Calls for vigilance against Land Encroachment