Manipur a state in northeast India, with a population of about 3 millions, and the city of Imphal as its capacity, is experiencing a continuous spate of ethnic violence, which has lasted for weeks. This has led to the deaths of at least 73 individuals, most of them Christians, and the burning, damage or destruction of nearly 400 churches.
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| Manipur Residents| Photo: The Christian Post |
According to The Christian Post, the predominantly Hindu Meitei community — Arambai Tengoll, also known as “black-shirts,” and Meitei Leepun — were alleged to be responsible for the violence.
As reported by CBN news, the violence was sparked over plans by the government to give privileged status to the Hindu majority Meitei community in the Imphal Valley region. The Kuki community, who reside on the hills of the Churachandpur district, opposed it.
The violence, which began on May 3, primarily engulfed the Imphal Valley and Churachandpur, causing at least four days of turmoil. The region remains fraught with tension as authorities fear possible reprisal attacks due to the significant accumulation of weapons within both involved communities.
In an earlier report by The Indian express, over 1,000 weapons and 10,000 rounds of ammunition were stolen from the Manipur Police Training College, two local police stations, and an IRB battalion camp in Imphal by members of the Meitei ethnic group. The report also noted, without stating specific figures, that police stations in Churachandpur were attacked and looted by the Kuki community.
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| Refugees from Manipur|Photo: CBN News |
Christians – who make up about 40% of the region's population of three million – have suffered the most.
According to The Christian Post, this period of escalating violence has not only claimed a minimum of 73 lives, out of which about 64 were Christian tribals, but also left 200 people injured. More than 1,700 residences suffered damage, complete destruction or saw their homes set ablaze. The turmoil has forced about 50,000 individuals to abandon their homes, of whom roughly 35,000 belong to Christian tribal communities.
An unnamed source told The Christian Post that, Christian organizations in the area have recorded the burning, damage, or destruction of 397 churches and six Christian institutions amid the wave of violence. Significantly, these churches primarily served as places of worship for Meitei Christians. It is alleged that these structures were primarily targeted and destroyed by Meitei Hindus.
David Curry, president and CEO of Global Christian Relief told while talking with CBN News, insisted that he thinks the attacks have really been driven by the central government.
In his words, “BGJ party has made being a Christian something that is not considered part of India. It seems as though their message is 'If you are not a Hindu, you are not an Indian' and this has allowed this escalation of violence against Christians and Christian churches."
However, Archbishop Dominic Lumon of Imphal, whose jurisdiction covers the entirety of Manipur, has launched an appeal for funds to assist those impacted by the violence.
He warns of a “general sense of hopelessness and desperation” throughout the region, acknowledging that all communities, regardless of their affiliation, are affected by the ongoing strife.
