Catholic schools pressured: Koijam

IMPHAL, March 23: The Manipur Chief Minister today admitted on the Floor of the House that he knew about Catholic missionary schools being pressured in the state. Asked by the lone Opposition member, Rishang Keishing (Cong), if he was aware that some people were threatening Catholic missionary schools in Manipur, Koijam said yes. Koijam said patrolling around missionary schools have been intensified. All except Don Bosco, Langjing and St Josheph's School, Sangiporou have reopened. He said regular cases have been taken up against attacks on missionaries and at least two ultras were killed on 18 May 1992 in the wake of the shooting of Father VJ Sebastian of Don Bosco High School, Chingmeirong. To the query as to whether any ex gratia has been paid to the next of kin of the missionaries killed here, Koijam said none of the next of kin have applied for ex gratia payment. Some Manipur Catholic schools closed down while others didn't reopen after winter holidays after a Catholic school principal, Father Tommy Manzali, was shot at on 2 February 2001. Father Tommy survived, but he was the fifth Catholic missionary to be attacked in Manipur. Three died. It is being said that the missionary schools were being asked to pay a ransom. Initially, Rs 5 lakh per school were reported to have been demanded of the eight Catholic schools in Imphal. When the demands weren't met the amount was raised to Rs 2 crore.The demands also triggered an exodus of non-local teachers and Catholic priests.