A New Model of “Religious Cleansing” Pioneered in Manipur, India

At least 317 churches and 70 church administrative/school buildings were burnt. At least 75 Christians killed. Over 30,000 displaced in the worst anti-Christian violence India has ever seen.

The violence in the Northeast Indian State of Manipur against Christians in the month of May has been one of the deadliest and most violent attacks against Christians in India. Verified facts defy the government-sponsored narrative that the conflict is not religious but tribal over land rights. Every piece of detail collected contradicts the claims made by the Modi-led Hindu nationalist government.

The BJP government used a decades-old underlying ethnic tension between two ethnic groups to bring down the deadliest violence against Christians.

This wave of destruction was instigated by Hindutva nationalists from a particular indigenous community. Most destruction was done in the first three days of conflict from May 3rd- 6th. The destruction continues to this day in the state capital of Imphal and the surrounding Valley with target killings by government forces.

Under the guise of inter-community conflict between the majority Manipuris (Meiteis) and the minority tribal people (collectively known as Kuki/Zomi tribes), almost all churches in the extended Imphal Valley have been burnt, vandalized, or desecrated by BJP government-supported militia.

Though Meiteis are primarily considered Hindu or of Sanamahi faith, a small percentage of them have lately converted to the Christian faith. In FIACONA’s last counting, 145 churches that belong to Meitei Christians and 172 tribal churches have been burnt or destroyed by radicalized Meitei Hindutva youth. The modus operandi of this violence in Manipur resembles what Hindutva nationalists in places like Godhra and Kandhamal have followed, confirming their involvement in this violence.

As per a report released by the Indigenous Tribal Leaders’ Forum (ITLF), 75 people are confirmed dead. 55 unconfirmed with over 200 injured. (The confirmed list of the names and addresses of the churches that have been destroyed is released at www.fiacona.org, including the list of those killed. These numbers are updated regularly as the violence is still continuing)

The disproportionate destruction of Meitei churches in Imphal Valley indicates that Meitei Christians are under more severe economic and social pressure like never before. Eyewitnesses have confirmed to FIACONA that non-state actors acting on behalf of the government and Meitei Hindutva leaders are responsible for the violence.

In one particular instance, FIACONA learned that a mob left a church untouched after learning that the church belonged to a different tribe other than Kuki or Meitei. (Details of the church location and the names are withheld for security reasons).

The BJP governments, both in Delhi and in Manipur, are trying to paint Kuki tribes in a bad light. They are branded as illegal immigrants and poppy farmers. FIACONA believes that it is an effort to malign Manipur Christians indirectly because almost 100% of the Kuki tribes are Christians. FIACONA cautions that the public should not be misled by the BJP government’s efforts to show the Christian population in a bad light.

Related Doc:

1. List of Churches  Click to View Document
2. List of Attacks (excludes Imphal) Click to View Document
3. Summary Data  Click to View Document

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