Hundreds of Christians in Ranchi on Sunday braved rain to form human chains to express solidarity with those suffering in Manipur.

Responding to a call given jointly by the Christian Youth Association, the local branch of the Conference of Religious India, and the Archdiocese of Ranchi, a large number of Christians assembled around Purulia Road and formed silent human chains in different directions.

“With their hearts filled with sorrow, pain and anguish, the Christians of Ranchi were helplessly watching the horrific situation of Manipur for nearly three months and came out on the street today,” said a release issued by the organisers.

The Christians stood silently, many of them holding umbrellas in one hand and placards in the other that had slogans such as “Manipur ko nyay do (Give justice to Manipur)” and “Desh ko sambidhan se chalne do (let the country run according to the Constitution)” written on them.

The human chains then moved to nearby St Mary’s Cathedral for a prayer meeting that could not accommodate all those gathered there and many had to wait in the courtyard and even on the road outside.

The priests addressed the followers before they prayed for peace in Manipur.

While Father Marianus Kujur, director of Xavier Institute of Social Service (XISS), analysed the situation prevailing in Manipur, archbishop Felix Toppo made a fervent appeal for peace in the trouble-torn state.

Bishop Rakesh Toppo of North Western Gossner Evangelical Lutheran Church said how the Christians were pained by the happenings in Manipur.

“Spreading of hatred for a long time culminated in the present situation in Manipur,” observed Bishop Theodore Mascarenhas, auxiliary bishop at Ranchi archdiocese, adding it was time that all became cautious so that the same was not repeated elsewhere.

Ranchi has been witnessing such gatherings for peace in Manipur for the last few days.

On Saturday, members of different women’s outfits also organised a protest march on Purulia Road.