Northeast India bishops urge dialogue, justice and peace in Manipur

IMPHAL, Manipur (Indian Catholic News) — Catholic bishops in northeastern India say many lives have been lost, places of worship destroyed and families displaced in Manipur, urging leaders and governments to pursue lasting peace.

The Catholic bishops of the 15 dioceses of North East India expressed “deep anguish and pain at the continuing violence and suffering in Manipur,” in a Sept.10 press statement issued by the North East India Regional Bishops’ Council following their meeting held at the Archbishop’s House in Shillong from September 7 to 9.

The bishops meet twice a year in April and September to address various issues the church faced and to arrive at common approaches to these issues.

“Many lives are lost, families displaced and places of worship destroyed,” they said in that press statement. “No grievance, however legitimate, can be resolved through violence, arson or hatred spread through social media.”

The bishops warned that “violence only breeds more violence” and “has no winner and leaves behind deeper wounds for the next generation to inherit.”

“As a Christian community, we cannot remain silent spectators to this suffering,” they said.

Leaders urged to embrace dialogue

The bishops “unequivocally condemn violence in any form and by any individual or group” and appealed to the people of Manipur to “immediately refrain from inflammatory speeches, rumours, and all forms of violence and retaliation.”

They also called on “all leaders, as well as the State and Central Governments, to embrace the path of sincere dialogue, justice, and cooperation in order to bring about lasting peace.”

“Following the way of forgiveness and reconciliation taught by Christ,” they urged all concerned to ensure “the protection of every citizen, impartial provision of humanitarian assistance, and an inclusive peace process that upholds the dignity and rights of all.”

The bishops called on people of goodwill “to pray for peace in Manipur” and asked every Church institution “to serve all victims of violence without discrimination and to further the cause of peace and good will.”

“Our faith teaches us that peace is not merely the absence of conflict, but the presence of justice, truth and reconciliation,” they said.

“Let us choose the difficult but Christian path: shun violence, seek dialogue, and walk together towards peace.”

The statement was issued on behalf of the bishops by Archbishop John Moolachira of Guwahati, president of the North East India Regional Bishops Council.

Continuous violence

Manipur remains volatile more than three years after ethnic violence erupted between the Meitei majority and Kuki-Zo tribal community in May 2023 after a court order linked affirmation policies to tribal status for Meiteis. At least 306 people have been killed and 49 remain missing, state Home Minister Govindas Konthoujam told the Assembly Sept. 10.

The Meiteis, about 53% of Manipur’s population, mostly live in the capital, Imphal, and surrounding plains, while the Kuki-Zo largely inhabit the hills. Tens of thousands have been displaced, with both communities establishing safe areas behind battle lines and blaming each other for renewed violence.

The government deployed paramilitary forces after the clashes began. Human rights groups, civil society organizations and opposition parties have accused authorities of failing to respond adequately. Reports of militant groups attacking civilians continue to emerge, keeping tensions high.

Past May three Baptist pastors were killed in an ambush in Manipur, and four other pastors and two drivers were seriously injured. The attack took as leaders of the Thadou Baptist Association were returning from a church meeting.

Read the press statement. (Editor’s note: Due to a typographical error, the date was incorrectly stated as September 10, 2021 instead of September 10, 2026.)