Hmar student body disapprove decision for new church

The Independent Church of India's (ICI) decision to set up a separate church in New Delhi was criticised by the Hmar Students' Association (HSA) this week.

The HSA, which is the oldest Hmar organisation, condemned the church's decision to install a separate church from 2013. It contended that there was already an interdenominational Hmar Christian Fellowship in New Delhi.

The Independent Church of India is an evangelical church, headquartered in Churachandpur, Manipur.

"Independent Church of India General Assembly 63rd Resolution No.5 move to install a separate church based on denomination in Delhi is not good and we made it clear that the Hmar Students' Association, Joint Headquarter, Delhi, does not want it," the student body said.

The HSA, according to a report by Mizo News, believed that such a move by a denominational church would greatly have an impact on the unity and closeness within members of the community.

The HSA leaders said they sincerely hoped that the ICI officials would rethink on the resolution for the "sake of saving and maintaining the unity" of the Hmar people in the national capital.

"As this kind of decision will have far reaching negative consequences, it is our sincere appeal to the officials not to implement their resolution keeping in mind the unity of the Hmar people in Delhi," the student body was quoted saying.

The Independent Church of India early this month held its 63 General Assembly.

Reportedly, there is wide condemnation from youth groups over ICI's decision to install denominational-based churches in cities like New Delhi, Guwahati, Bangalore, Pune, Chennai and Chandigarh where there are already Hmar Christian fellowships.