The Archbishop of Imphal, Msgr. Dominic Lumon, has called on the Indian government to take responsibility for the month-and-a-half-long violent clashes between the Meitei and Kuki in Manipur State, northeastern India. In a detailed report issued to all of India’s brother bishops, he expressed concern over the silence of the prime minister, the incompetence of the interior minister, and the indecisiveness of the local government in ending the violence. The archbishop pointed out that violence and fires continue to ravage the suburbs of the region with many losing their homes, property vandalized and looted, and places of worship desecrated and burned. More than 50,000 people have lost their homes and are languishing in camps for the displaced.
According to the Archbishop, the elected state government and the central administration in New Delhi have been unable to restore the rule of law and put an end to the insane violence, signalling a collapse of the state machinery at the local level. The prelate speaks of many more casualties than the 100 deaths in the official figures, as violent activities in the suburbs outside the capital are greatly underestimated. He denounced the underestimation of the numbers in the clashes between the two communities as the entire Manipur community suffers, regardless of affiliations.
Bishop Lumon also highlighted militias claiming to protect Sanamahism, the traditional religion of this area, with narrations speaking of a ‘war on drugs,’ ‘operation against Kuki militias,’ or ‘fight against illegal immigrants from Myanmar’, among other things. He pointed out that the undercurrent of religious intolerance is clearly visible and a subtle attack on Christianity seems to have found a free and unsuspected space.
The Imphal archbishop called on the Church to calmly assess the situation, maintain neutrality, promote peace and unity, prioritizing relief to those in dire need. He acknowledged the demands on the Catholic community itself, stating that Kuki priests and religious can only be assigned to Kuki communities, and there are schools wiped out after already suffering from the Covid-19 crisis.
The Archbishop of Imphal appealed to other dioceses and the Indian Bishops’ Conference to show solidarity efforts for minorities in India, emphasising that the crisis facing the people and the Church of Manipur is not an isolated incident. He concluded by praying that common sense will return, peace, forgiveness and brotherhood will be restored, and that peaceful coexistence will become a reality once again.
