Christians appeal Indian govt to restore peace in Manipur

A Christian ecumenical body has urged India’s federal government to restore peace in Manipur state, where life was disrupted by the latest bout of violence between indigenous Christians and Meitei Hindus.

“The gravity of the situation cannot be overstated. The people of Manipur are caught in a state of utter hopelessness and insecurity,” said Reverend Asir Ebenezer, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in India (NCCI), representing Protestant and Orthodox Churches in the country.

In a public appeal on Nov. 19, the NCCI referred to the brutal killing of 20 people, including women and children, since Nov. 7 in the state bordering civil war-hit Myanmar.

“Families have been torn apart, and entire communities have been displaced from their homes. Children cannot continue their studies,” it said.

The NCCI also referred to the miseries caused to the people by the acute shortage of basic necessities such as food, healthcare, and transport facilities.

“The continued instability is eroding the very social fabric of Manipur, and the toll on the mental and physical well-being of the people is staggering,” it said.

The spate of violence began on May 3 last year and has claimed around 250 lives besides displacing some 60,000 people, mostly Christians. Over 360 Churches have been destroyed.

“We condemn the violence in the strongest terms and express our grave concern over the lack of sufficient and timely intervention by the authorities,” the NCCI said.

It regretted that the conflict remains unresolved despite numerous appeals from various sections of society.

The long-standing tensions between the predominantly Hindu Meitei majority and mostly Christian Kuki people revolve around their claims over land and government jobs.

“We believe that the failure to restore peace and security in Manipur is not only a national tragedy but also a reflection of the systemic breakdown of governance and the rule of law in the state,” the NCCI added.

Meanwhile, a Church leader based in the state capital, Imphal, said: “The situation has improved a little, and there are no reports of any fresh violence in the past couple of days.

“The government has relaxed the curfew from 5 in the morning to noon from today,” he told UCA News on Nov. 22.

The Church leader, who did not want to be named for security reasons, said that people are coming out of their homes and government offices have started functioning in the state capital.
However, the capital “remains a fortress with security forces, including army men everywhere,” he said.

Schools and colleges continue to remain shut, and internet services remain suspended.

“Unless the wounds are completely healed, there won’t be much difference in our lives,” he added.

The indigenous people, mostly Christians, make up 41 percent of Manipur’s 3.2 million people, while the Meiteis, who form 53 percent, control the government and administration.

This article was originally published on https://www.ucanews.com/news/christians-appeal-indian-govt-to-restore-peace-in-manipur/107076