Manipur Burning! A Wake-Up Call for Christians

Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ –

To say that ‘Manipur is burning’ is not merely a gross understatement, but belies the terrible reality which has gripped the tiny State in North-East India since 3 May. For almost fifty days now, Manipur has been experiencing unprecedented violence and mayhem; more than one hundred people have been killed, thousands have been rendered homeless; there has been burning, arson, and looting of houses, Churches and other institutions. There is a complete breakdown of law and order; a scarcity of essential commodities with the prices of the little available, skyrocketing! Fear, despair and helplessness have gripped vast sections of Manipur, particularly the poor and vulnerable! The violence continues, unabated!

Political analysts, social scientists, human rights defenders and all those concerned about what is happening in Manipur – are unanimous and unequivocal in their conclusion. There are many obvious questions, which clearly point out to those culpable and complicit for what is happening there!

Voices of concern have been pouring in from all sections of society through public rallies, solidarity marches and protests; there have been incisive editorials, op-eds and public statements; social media is flooded with comments, pictures and videos of the ground reality (plenty of ‘fake’ news doing the rounds too!). A former Indian Army Chief, General (retd) VP Malik has called for “urgent attention” to the situation in Manipur. He was referring referring to a tweet by Lieutenant General L Nishikanta Singh (retired), a resident of Imphal who tweeted, “I’m just an ordinary Indian from Manipur living a retired life. The state is now ‘stateless’. Life and property can be destroyed anytime by anyone just like in Libya, Lebanon, Nigeria, Syria, etc. It appears Manipur has been left to stew in its own juice. Is anyone listening?” His tweet came a day after the house of Union Minister RK Ranjan Singh was set on fire in Imphal by a rampaging mob.

Tribals have been receiving end, particularly the Christians in the violence which had erupted in Manipur. A so-called ‘peace committee’ which was together to apparently restore normalcy, was outrightly rejected both by the Meteis and Kukis.

Politicians across the party divide have been doing their best to get the Government to stop the violence. Senior Member of Parliament, Derek O’Brien ( who is also a leader of the All India Trinamool Congress (AITC), has written to the chairman of the Standing Committee for Home Affairs demanding a discussion urgently on the situation of violence in Manipur. O’Brien writes, “The recent incidents of violence in Manipur have raised concerns about the safety and wellbeing of the people residing in the region. Reportedly, many are dead and thousands have been displaced. Shoot-at-sight orders have further added to the atmosphere of fear in the State. It is imperative that we understand the ground reality, and assess the extent of the violence. In this regard, holding a standing committee meeting to discuss the ongoing violence in Manipur would provide first-hand insights into the situation;” adding, “I urge you to call for a meeting of the Standing Committee on Home Affairs to immediately address the issues that Manipur is facing. I remain hopeful that, together, we can work towards ensuring that normalcy is restored.” Obviously, there has not been a positive response to this urgent call for discussion and action.

Some days ago, more than 550 civil society groups and concerned individuals, in a powerful show of solidarity, from all corners of the nation joined forces to denounce the escalating violence in Manipur. In a joint statement, they called for an immediate end to the divisive politics perpetuated by the state and security forces while urging all parties involved to declare an immediate ceasefire. The statement, born out of deep concern for the ethnic violence that has plagued Manipur since early May 2023, emphasises the need for the Prime Minister to break his silence on the ongoing civil war in the hills and valley areas of the state. The signatories demand an immediate halt to the violence, which has caused significant disruption, displacement, and loss of life. More than 50,000 people are in over 300 refugee camps, while countless others have been forced to flee their homes.

The statement demands several key actions from the government, including the Prime Minister’s accountability for the current situation in Manipur. It calls for a court-monitored tribunal to establish facts, promote justice, and foster healing between the communities. The signatories also insisted on the establishment of a fast-track court to address cases of sexual violence perpetrated by both state and non-state actors, as recommended by the Verma Commission.

The demands include:

• The Prime Minister must speak up and take accountability of the current situation in Manipur. 
• A court-monitored tribunal must be formed to establish facts, and prepare the ground for justice and healing of the gaping wound that separates communities of Manipur to mitigate the divisiveness and hatred being engineered.
• A fast-track court be set up for all cases of sexual violence by state and non-state actors, as recommended by the Verma commission that ‘personnel guilty of sexual offences in conflict areas should be tried under ordinary criminal law.
• Provision of relief by the government to those forced to flee and guarantee their safe return to their villages; rebuild their homes and lives. Provision of ex-gratia compensation to those who lost loved ones, suffered injuries and loss of home, grain, livestock and so on.  This process of return, rehabilitation and compensation should be overseen by a panel of retired judges who know the region closely, perhaps appointed by the High Court or Supreme Court.  

Since those mostly affected are the tribals and particularly the Christians, it is imperative that Christian Leadership (representing the three major Christian organisations of the country: the CBCI, the NCCI and the EFI and others too) should come together:

• to hold a joint Media Conference immediately: this has to be done in the National Capital Delhi and also simultaneously in every State Capital. The Media Conference in the Capital must be addressed by the main Office bearers of the CBCI, NCCI and EFI and demand:

• the restoration of law and order and peace in Manipur immediately;

• the safe return of all tribals/Christians ousted from their land and homes;

• an adequate and just monetary compensation for rebuilding homes, Churches, institutions destroyed;

• the booking and appropriate punishment for all responsible for the violence (even if they have powerful connections)

• to go to Manipur NOW (at least one hundred and more Christian Leaders); together, at the same time. Be in the midst of the affected people- hear their cries: take a visible and vocal stand on their behalf!
• to organize a National Protest Day in order to highlight what is happening to the minorities, the Adivasis, the Dalits and the other vulnerable groups of the country. Have a huge gathering in a public maidan in New Delhi – with as many Church Leaders (Bishops and others) as possible and people coming from all over the country. Request other civil society groups. /Movements to join in; On this National Protest Day – let there also be public protests in all Dioceses/States of the country.

Peace must come back to Manipur immediately. Several civil society groups and individuals, human rights defenders, academics and writers and a whole range of concerned citizens, are doing their part, often at great risk! Much more needs to be done immediately! Tokenism and cosmetic acts will only add fuel to the fire! The Government has abdicated its responsibility and clearly does not have the political will to resolve the problem. In fact, both the Centre and the State is responsible for this violence. The Prime Minister has already gone to the US; he will certainly not have a press conference there.; besides he will not be able to answer any question on the Manipur violence or for that matter, the state of the minorities in India today!

What is happening in Manipur today is a foretaste of tomorrow: a sign of possible things to come! The citizens of India (particularly Christian leadership) must wake up now – before it is too late! Manipur is burning: the fires there must be extinguished immediately!

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Fr. Cedric Prakash SJ is a human rights, reconciliation and peace activist/writer. Contact email: [email protected]