Catholic nuns risk their lives to serve violence-hit India’s Manipur state
Sr. Sanrupe Kharsyiumiong and her companion were busy recruiting candidates for her congregation in some parishes of Manipur, when ethnic violence targeting Christians erupted May 3 in the northeastern Indian state. After escaping, "our plan was to return in three days, but [we] got stranded in a village as mobs attacked houses and churches in several Christian villages," the 27-year-old member of the Clarist Franciscan Missionaries of the Most Blessed Sacrament told Global Sisters Report. The ongoing clash is between the majority Meitei community (who are mostly Hindu) and Kukis, one of the tribes in the state (most of them Christian). A tribal solidarity rally triggered the May 3 violence, as the Meiteis attacked the rallyists when they returned from the event. Archbishop Dominic Lumon of Imphal, the capital of Manipur, in a report submitted to visiting bishops in mid-June, stated that more than 100 civilians — mostly Christians — were killed, and 249 churches belonging to various denominations were destroyed in the violence, most of which were Baptist and Presbyterian (the two major denominations in the state). But a July 10 report that the state government submitted to the Supreme Court indicated further destruction: 142 deaths, 5,053 registered cases of arson, and the
Christian, Dalit bodies hold protests in Punjab against Manipur violence
The impact of the Punjab bandh call was also visible in Ferozepur district where shops and markets at several places remained shut. In Moga, protesters said they will appeal to shopkeepers to keep their shops closed in protest against the violence in Manipur. Several Christian and Dalit bodies Wednesday held demonstrations at several places including Jalandhar, Ferozepur and Moga as part of their ‘Punjab bandh’ call against the Manipur violence. Shops remained shut in many areas of Jalandhar and Ferozepur districts as protesters shouted slogans against the central government for the violence in the northeastern state. Ahead of the bandh call given by different Dalit and Christian organisations, police were deployed at many places in the state. In Jalandhar, several markets remained shut with representatives of Dalit and Christian communities staging a ‘dharna’ in the city’ Kapurthala chowk. Police were deployed at Rama Mandi and Nakodar chowk, said officials. The impact of the Punjab bandh call was also visible in Ferozepur district where shops and markets at several places remained shut. In Moga, protesters said they will appeal to shopkeepers to keep their shops closed in protest against the violence in Manipur. A police officer in Moga said adequate security arrangements have been made
Indian Christians led by FIACONA hold prayer for end to violence in Manipur at the United Nations
The Indian Christian community in the Tri-state area held a prayer vigil in front of the United Nations to highlight the violence in Manipur, particularly the alleged attacks on the Kuki-Zo tribal people who are mostly Christian. The Prayer rally was attended by Christians from all denominations and regions in North America in cooperation with FIACONA (Federation of Indian American Christians of North America). A press release from organizers said the vigil was attended by more than seven hundred people, and clergy conducted the prayers to decry the loss of lives and destruction of homes and churches in Manipur. “This is not a protest rally. We aim not to examine why the riots happened, who is responsible, or politics,” President of FIACONA George Koshy is quoted saying in the press release. “We are here today to pray for the rule of law in Manipur, and obviously, there are limits as to what we can do to help. However, Prayer does not have any limitations”. He further clarified that we aim not to condemn or oppose anyone politically,” Koshy added. Dr. Anna George, the leader of this event, said the suffering on the ground in Manipur was “beyond our imagination. Other speakers at the event
Ahead of Biden’s visit, US again rakes up alleged religious persecution, human rights issues in India
The critical stance of the Pentagon came on Monday when a reporter asked whether Biden would raise the issue of alleged violations of human rights especially "Christian persecution" in India. Ahead of US President Joe Biden's visit to India, the Pentagon has again made a contentious statement against New Delhi on human rights issues despite being schooled by India on several occasions. While speaking at a regular press conference, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the Biden administration has been raising the issues of human rights violations in India in the past and will do the same in the future. "We regularly raise human rights concerns with countries with which we engage, have done that -- so in the past with India, and we'll do so in the future," he said. Biden to visit India next month Notably, President Biden is due to visit New Delhi next month for the G20 Summit where he will be holding a series of meetings with Indian officials including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, the critical stance of the Pentagon came on Monday when a reporter asked whether Biden would raise the issue of alleged violations of human rights especially "Christian persecution" in the country. "We have made
Indian pastor attacked for alleged religious conversion
Authorities in Bihar state have not filed a case against perpetrators who are believed to be Hindu hardliners A Protestant pastor in a northern Indian state has been attacked for allegedly conducting religious conversions. Pastor Shyju Joseph was conducting Sunday worship on Aug. 6 at his place in Bihar state's Nawada district. Members of the Bajrang Dal (brigade of Lord Hanuman), a Hindu nationalist organisation, disrupted the service after accusing him of converting people to Christianity. “They asked him to accompany them and made him sit on a motorcycle. Later, he was beaten up badly,” Christian activist Minakshi Singh told UCA News on Aug. 7. Singh, general secretary of Unity in Compassion, a charity based in neighboring Uttar Pradesh state, said, “As of now, no complaint has been filed.” We have contacted our people in Bihar to help the victim register a police complaint, Singh added. Police took him to Sharif Sadar Hospital in Nawada district where he was undergoing treatment for his injuries, she added. “Pastor Joseph’s condition is serious but he is stable now,” the Christian lay leader said. A member of Persecution Relief, an inter-denominational organization in India, criticized the state government for not filing a case against the pastor's attackers. “Are the attackers above the law of
Church bulletin article warns of Manipur-like situation in Goa
PANAJI: The state government’s talk of “destroying traces of Portuguese culture” is a warning that Goa could witness clashes similar to those in Manipur, says an article in the Archdiocese of Goa and Daman’s pastoral bulletin, Renovacao. “Goa is expected to see the next holocaust after Manipur,” writes F E Noronha, a member of the editorial board of Renovacao. The bulletin is published by the Diocesan Centre for Social Communications Media (DCSCM), from the Archbishop’s House in Altinho, Panaji. “The sporadic squeaks about destroying traces of Portuguese culture are announcements of the holocaust under preparation,” Noronha writes in the article. “Get ready to be paraded, you can save on your clothes. There are also sporadic announcements about places of worship.” The article adds, “People of Goa, enough of stupid Sao Joaos, dances, weddings, ‘Corridinhos’ and alcohol, get down on your knees and pray whatever prayer you know.” It goes on to say, “Your grandfathers rescued Goa in 1967. There is no Dr Jack Sequeira today, and Goans are not united. But situations throw up the requisite leadership and people rise to the occasion according to the crises.” The article says that Goa is staring at “crises” and that “churches may be demolished
Concern grows as Manipur violence set to expand
India (MNN) — Analysts say violence in India’s Manipur state could soon spread. The warring Meitei and Kuki people groups have ethnic ties to communities in neighboring states, Bangladesh, and Myanmar. At least 180 people have died in Manipur’s unrest, and over 60,000 are on the run. A3’s Pastor Mang* says the conflict, ongoing since May, is largely hidden from the outside world. “My younger brother works in the police department, and he says that the shooting stops around 3, 3:30 in the afternoon, but around 5, 5:30, or 6 [pm], the shooting continues,” Pastor Mang says. “The situation in Manipur is not getting better. It’s getting worse by the day.” In the latest attack on a Kuki community, “one of our village volunteers passed away, and three sustained injuries,” he adds. Political opponents criticize Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his inaction. Modi’s only remarks about Manipur came last month after a Meitei mob paraded two Kuki girls naked and then raped them. “For the Meitei, exposing themselves naked is to show their deepest anger and hatred,” Pastor Mang says, explaining why assailants may have chosen this attack style. Unfortunately, it was not an isolated incident. “Two of our (Kuki) young girls who work [at a] car
Hindus oppose construction of church in K’taka village with no Christians
Hindu organisations and villagers have opposed the construction of a church in a village with no Christian households in Karnataka’s Chikkamagaluru district. The church is being constructed in Lokavalli village of Mudigere taluk and the development has already stirred a controversy. The locals and Hindu organisations have claimed that since there were no Christian families in the village, the church should not be constructed The locals have also alleged that the church is being constructed to carry out religious conversions. The church is constructed in the land of one Ranga, from Haandi village near Mudigere. The police are yet to react to the issue. The development has caused concern in the communally sensitive region of Chikkamagaluru which was considered as the bastion of the BJP. But in the last Assembly elections in May, the BJP suffered a humiliating defeat. Former National General Secretary C.T. Ravi lost the elections from Chikkamagaluru constituency to his right hand man turned Congress candidate. The article is published on thestatesman.com
Indian Christians to hold a prayer vigil in front of the U.N. for the victims of violence in Manipur, India on Saturday August 5 Noon
NEW YORK (TIP): ‘Concerned Citizens on Manipur,’ an activist group, is organizing a prayer vigil in front of the United Nations building in Manhattan on Saturday, August 5th, at 11 am in solidarity with the victims of violence in the northeastern State of Manipur in India and to pray for restoration of peace. The tiny State of Manipur has witnessed violent conflict between the majority of Meitei and a minority of Kuki tribes. Stabbing, chopping, burning, shooting, and other attacks killed more than 140 people. Mobs have destroyed more than 400 churches and shrines; houses have been burnt, some with inhabitants in them and over 50,000 people have been displaced into temporary relief camps in miserable states. Parading of naked women, gang rape and sexually abusing them have occurred in public spaces. Although the Government is supposed to protect the lives and properties of its citizens, the BJP government in power in the State and at the Center has done very little to quell the violence. Independent observers report that the Government has indirectly tolerated the majority Meitei community to continue the atrocities. The BJP government is a fundamentalist Hindutva party advocating for converting India into a Hindu nation. The religious
The Manipur Massacre perceived as the worst anti-Christian massacre in modern India
Open genocidal calls made by the COCOMI Meiteis against the Kukis – the Manipur Massacre is the worst anti-Christian massacre in modern India In a terrible pogrom lasting over two months, it was triggered by an old picture of a girl from Delhi being raped, falsely asserting that the Kukis had raped a Meitei girl. Mayhem prevailed when the Meiteis went on a mad rampage to burn, rape, and kill Kukis. The Manipur Massacre the longest pogrom in the history of the nine years of Narendra Modi’s governance since 2014 and some perceived it as the worst anti-Christian massacre to take place in India which is still ongoing. Many jeering references are made to the Kuki’s Christian faith, over 200 churches were burnt down and many Kuki schools were destroyed making it seem like a Christian massacre. Presently, an eerie video has emerged on social media revealing the COCOMI Meiteis screaming, translated as “All the Kukis must be killed, Kill the Kukis until they are totally wiped out, Kukis cannot stay in Manipur.” A Kuki responded to the COCOMI march, “You talk about peace and shout slogans like these?!!! Make up your minds! Please do whatever you want within your 700sq. kms area. Kill
