One Year On, People of Manipur Live for Another Day

Verghese V Joseph –

As the sun rises over the rolling hills of the north-eastern Indian state of Manipur, a sense of unease hangs in the air. It has been one year since the outbreak of the devastating communal violence that tore through Manipur, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Yet, amidst the rubble of burned churches and the haunting memories of unspeakable atrocities, the people of Manipur, particularly the Christians from the Kuki and Meitei communities, have found the strength to carry on.

The 3rd of May marks an unfortunate date in the history of India over the ethnic violence that erupted in the State between the Meitei people, a majority that lives in the Imphal Valley, and the Kuki-Zo tribal community from the surrounding hills.

The statistics are staggering: 219 lives lost, 60,000 people displaced, and over 4,700 homes reduced to ashes. But behind these cold, hard numbers lie stories of immense suffering and unimaginable courage.  Nearly 4,786 houses were burned, and 386 religious structures were vandalised, including temples and churches. Unofficial figures are higher.

Eyewitness accounts paint a harrowing picture of the violence that engulfed this once-peaceful region.

The violence first erupted after a peaceful protest by Kuki tribal groups, who were demonstrating against the local government’s decision to grant more land rights to the majority Meitei Hindu community. The police response was widely criticised as slow and inadequate, with reports that officers stood by as the mobs attacked Christian targets.

Despite promises from the ruling establishment from the Centre and the State to address the situation, the violence has continued unabated. Thousands of Christians remain displaced, living in overcrowded relief camps with limited access to food, water, and medical care.

A year after the outbreak of communal violence, the situation remains dire for the Christian minority. Ethnic and religious tensions have escalated, with the predominantly Christian Kuki community bearing the brunt of the attacks.

Yet, in the face of such adversity, Christians from both sides have refused to be broken. Their faith, their resilience, and their unwavering determination to persevere have become a beacon of hope in the darkness that has enveloped Manipur.

As Christians grapple with the immense physical and emotional toll of the violence, they have also embarked on the arduous task of rebuilding their lives and their communities. In the overcrowded relief camps, where thousands of displaced families have sought refuge, the spirit of resilience and determination is palpable.

The road to recovery is long and arduous, but Christians are undaunted. They have set their sights on the future, determined to reclaim what was lost and to emerge from this crisis stronger than ever before.

Alongside their efforts to rebuild, Christians have also been steadfast in their pursuit of justice and accountability. They have raised their voices, demanding that the perpetrators of the violence be held responsible and that the government fulfil its duty to protect all its citizens, regardless of their religious or ethnic affiliation.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI) has faced criticism for its delayed and muted response to the crisis. In September 2023, the CBCI finally issued a statement condemning the “well-coordinated onslaught” against the Kuki community and calling for urgent humanitarian aid. However, many feel the church leadership could have done more to amplify the plight of persecuted Christians in Manipur.

As the 2024 general elections got underway last week in Manipur, there were fears that the Manipur violence could become a polarising political issue. The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party has been accused of failing to adequately protect the Christian minority, while opposition parties have sought to capitalise on the government’s perceived inaction.

Meanwhile, a voter turnout of 81.16% was recorded at six polling stations in the Outer Manipur Lok Sabha seat, where repolling took place.

According to the Election Commission, repolling was necessitated as unidentified persons had damaged EVMs and VVPATs before the completion of voting at four of these six polling stations on April 26, while EVM malfunctioning was reported at one polling station, and voting could not be completed at another due to “threat and intimidation by unknown miscreants.”

The ongoing violence in Manipur has exposed the deep-seated ethnic and religious tensions that continue to plague the region. The systematic targeting of the Christian community, with churches burned, homes destroyed, and lives lost, has created a humanitarian crisis of immense proportions.

In the face of such adversity, the resilience and faith of the Christians have become a beacon of hope, not just for their own community, but for all those who have witnessed the unfolding tragedy in Manipur. Their unwavering spirit, their refusal to be broken, and their unwavering commitment to rebuilding their lives and their communities, serve as a testament to the indomitable human spirit.

As the sun sets on another day in Manipur, Christians gather in the ruins of their burned churches, their voices raised in prayer and song. They may have lost their physical places of worship, but their faith, their resilience, and their unbreakable spirit remain intact. And in that, they find the strength to carry on, to live for another day, and to emerge from the ashes, stronger and more determined than ever before.