AS A CONSEQUENCE OF THE VIOLENT CONFLICT THAT EXPLODED IN MANIPUR (INDIA) last May, tens of thousands of people have been displaced and more than 150 have died. In addition, a source close to the Archdiocese of Imphal told Aid to the Suffering Church (ACN) that meitei militants have destroyed 290 villages and 603 churches in the past three months.
Among the church buildings destroyed were St. Paul’s Church and the Pastoral Training Center in Sangaiprou, Imphal, and while the attack was taking place, the police were “nowhere to be found”, according to the source.
And he added: “All SOS calls to the emergency numbers (100 and 112) went unanswered. There were no security deployments, leaving the premises vulnerable to further attacks and eventual destruction. But today, with everything already destroyed, there is a 24-hour police deployment”.
He said mobs also looted and vandalized other church-owned buildings, including St. Joseph’s Higher Secondary School in Sangaiprou.
The ACN source explained that the deadly conflict has many complex causes, including ethnic tension between the Hindu-majority Meitei and Christian-majority Kuki tribes.
According to him, the tension is partly due to disputes over land ownership and agricultural activity.
ACN is closely monitoring the situation in India and is in contact with church authorities to find ways to provide emergency relief and help alleviate suffering.
2023-08-30 01:04:19
#India #displaced #dead
