By Matters India Reporter
Guwahati, May 5, 2023: The situation in Manipur remains volatile with various groups vying for power and control, says the United Christian Forum of North East India that has called for prayers to bring peace to the troubled state.
An emergency meeting of the forum held May 5 at Guwahati in Assam reviewed the situation in Manipur that has witnessed clashes between various groups in the past three days.
The Church forum has observed that Manipur has been rattled by conflicts, violence, arson and loss of life, affecting the lives of countless innocent people within the state and the region.
“In such situations, it is essential to promote peace, harmony, and understanding among all communities to prevent further bloodshed and suffering,” said the forum comprising members of all Christian denominations in the region.
The meeting called for prayer as “a powerful way” to appeal for God’s divine intervention and guidance and unite people.
When people of different faiths come together to pray and evoke God’s blessings for a common cause, they demonstrate their solidarity and commitment to a peaceful resolution. This can create a positive impact on the situation, both on a spiritual and practical level.
The forum urged all Churches and denominations to set apart May 7 to pray for peace, harmony, and the stopping of all violence and killing in Manipur.
A forum press note issued by its spokesperson Allen Brooks says the common prayers would contribute to “a more peaceful and stable environment in the region and promote a positive change for the better while respecting humanity.”
The same day, Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore, who heads the Catholic Church in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, expressed “deep concern” over the targeting and persecution of Christians in Manipur, where Christians account for 41 percent of the total 3.43 million people.
“It is distressing to hear that despite having a sizable Christian population in Manipur, the community is being made to feel insecure,” Archbishop Machado bemoans.
Earlier on May 4, the Catholic bishops of the region appealed for restrain and peace in Manipur
Speaking on behalf of all the region’s bishops, Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati described as sad and disturbing the images and videos from Manipur shared on various social media platforms.
“Violence is never the answer for any lasting solution. Violence begets violence and it leaves an indelible scar in the mind of the people,” reads a note from Archbishop Moolachira, who is the president of the President of the North East India Regional Bishops’ Council (NEIRBC).
The prelate says the region is “unique and the rest of the country looks up to us for our gentleness, warmth, hospitality and rich cultural heritage.” What is happening in Manipur is sad and frightening and it does not represent who we really are,” he adds.
The appeal came a day after reports of large-scale arson, vandalism, clashes and unrest emerged from Imphal, Bishnupur and Morey areas of Manipur because of some misunderstanding between two sections of people over the Scheduled Tribe status.
“Manipur is a beautiful state where different communities have peacefully co-existed for centuries. We should not allow this harmonious coexistence to be disturbed due to misunderstanding fanned by rumors, the NEIRBC note says.
Meanwhile an independent report from Manipur says more than 5,000 tribal people are stranded inside multiple military or paramilitary camps in Imphal.
It called for immediate deployment of sufficient federal forces to escort the stranded people out of Imphal.
“Their situation can worsen quickly due to inadequate food, clean water, medicine and other basic needs,” it adds.
The army and Assam Rifles personnel are on the roads and lanes of Manipur. They are also monitoring the situation by use of air surveillance and drones. According to an army source, some insurgent groups living in Manipur valley region are the main obstacles to peace in the northeastern state. So it is necessary to monitor their movements. The army source said that since the valley areas of Manipur are surrounded by mountains, it is not possible to carry out ground surveillance there. Apart from that, the army wants to be careful about the fact that illegal infiltration does not take place through the border of Myanmar.
The cherry-picking by CBCI (by two of its Archbishops – Peter Machado and Andrew Thazhath – President CBCI in their press release on May 5) that only three Catholic Churches have been set on fire and damaged in Manipur is very sad and ridiculous.
The fact is according to reliable sources 41 churches have been torched and damaged. Out of this only three are Catholic churches. Every year CBCI conducts Unity Octave and preaches unity of the Catholic church with its sister churches. But in reality it has once again given a step-motherly treatment to its sister churches and their members by not accounting for them while taking stock of the total damage by differentiating between Catholic and Protestant churches in times of persecution.
The present conflagration has also been sparked by Meteis, who are mostly Hindu, now demanding ST status for themselves.
My sources in Imphal tell me that the Chief Minister knew that this was coming but, like Nero, fiddled while Rome burnt.
I am further informed that these developments have deepened the ethnic and communal divide.
There is need for dialogue and healing.
After the rally in Guwahati demanding delisting 0f Christian tribals from ST status this Forum appealed for prayers and have a adopted the same approach this time too. They seem unable to take a stand on anything