Indian Bishops launch appeal for peaceful coexistence in Manipur

By Lisa Zengarini

As clashes continue in the riot-hit Indian State of Manipur, the Catholic bishops of Northeast India have made a fresh appeal for peace.

Thousands displaced and churches destroyed

In a statement released on 28 May, at the conclusion of an emergency session of the regional conference on the crisis, the bishops urged local communities to work together to find ways of peaceful coexistence and reconciliation to stop the sectarian violence that so far has claimed over 75 lives, displaced more 45,000 people and destroyed over 1,700 houses, churches and other Christian institutions.

“It is with great pain and intense anxiety that we have been following the great tragedies that have taken place in Manipur recently. We grieve with our brothers and sisters who have fallen victims to violence and have suffered in consequence,” reads the statement signed by Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati, chairman of the North East India Regional Bishops’ Council.

The conflict

Violence erupted in Manipur on 3 May when ethnic Kuki and other tribal groups went to the streets to protest against a court decision granting the Meiteis with the Scheduled Tribe (ST) status which avails state benefits and reservation quotas to backward categories under India’s affirmative legislation.

The Meiteis, who control the local political power, account for 53 percent of Manipur’s 3.2 million population, while other tribal groups, who control much of the land in the State, are some 41 percent.  

Ongoing violence

The Manipur government, led by Biren Singh of the pro-Hindu Bharatiya Janata Party, has imposed a curfew and suspended internet services to avoid circulation of hate speeches and rumors. Clashes however are still continuing.

Sources from Imphal have told AsiaNews agency that a Catholic village, Zou Veng, was attacked. Part of Sugunu Township, which is not from the state capital of Imphal, the village was destroyed, including its church. The tribal colony in Sugunu had more than 100 houses, 60 percent of which were burnt. Some 150 houses were torched in Langching, another village in Sugunu.

According to unconfirmed reports, about a thousand weapons were looted from the armouries of the Manipur Rifles in Imphal, where the Meitei are concentrated.

On Sunday, 28 May, firing between militants and security forces reportedly led to the death of two people and wounded 12 others. Two of the wounded died the following day in the hospital.

Concessions can be made in view of the common good

In their statement, the bishops of North-East India “cry for help on behalf of those who suffer,” lamenting the “immense” loss of “precious lives and property”, as the violence continues making relief work for all those affected extremely difficult. 

They therefore plead with “intellectuals and creative thinkers” of the two communities to work out “ways of easing the situation, exploring a constructive way forward and devising ways of settling the differences”.

“They will surely find areas where concessions can be made in view of the common good and collaborative steps initiated in view of a shared future,” the bishops say remarking that “Both communities concerned know their destinies are intertwined.”

Orchestrated violence

According to the Kerala Catholic Bishops' Commission for Social Harmony and Vigilance, which carried out an inquiry into the Manipur riots, the sectarian violence has been "well-orchestrated" and "targeted the Kuki tribe," 90 percent of whom are Christians.

The commission, reported Ucanews agency, said that “the change in the policies and programs of BJP Chief Minister N. Biren Singh in the state has divided the people into communal lines.”