Shillong, Dec 21: The Khasi Jaintia Christian Leaders Forum (KJCLF) on Wednesday expressed its solidarity with fellow Christian believers in Chhattisgarh and empathized with them in their sufferings and hardship caused by unjustified and unlawful acts of violence against them.

In a statement, the Forum said it is greatly alarmed at reports of unprovoked violence perpetrated against individuals and families belonging to the minority community and members of the Christian Church including physical beatings, being evicted and driven out of their homes and villages.

More shocking also are reports that the Government authorities of law and order refused to register any case against the perpetrators.

The KJCLF joined with other Christian bodies in the country in condemning these unjustified and inhumane acts and urged the local State authorities to take action against the perpetrators and protect the lives and properties of its citizens. Violence and hatred against each other has to stop, it stressed.

The KJCLF further called on faith and spiritual leaders to combat against hatred and prejudicial biases.

While affirming that religions, faiths and spiritual traditions exert powerful and positive influences on the lives of individuals and communities, the KJCLF appealed to the Governments in both the States and the Centre to recognize the imperative need for dialogue among different faiths and religions which will enhance mutual understanding, harmony and cooperation among people.

In doing so, the governing powers will greatly impact on the removal of the ‘fear factor’ in the lives of all citizens of this great nation, it said.