The ongoing ethnic violence involving the Meitei community and the Naga and Kuki tribal communities that began in May 2023 in Manipur severely pains and concerns the Christian Council, which operates under the auspices of the National Council of Churches in India. Numerous people have died, and been injured, and hundreds have been evacuated and are currently camped under military protection. Many churches have been demolished and set on fire.

A silent peace rally in solidarity with the people of Manipur was organized in Kolkata.

The Bengal Christian Council strongly condemns the violence, calls on all parties to stop attacking one another, and implores the State and Central Governments to keep up their efforts to bring things back to normal. They should take the necessary non-violent steps to do this by holding meaningful dialogue with the affected communities in a spirit of solidarity given that they have, up until now, lived in Manipur for so long. However, sustainable peace requires more than just the absence of violence, and in the end, only justice and reconciliation can achieve this.

They encouraged communities to avoid senseless acts of violence, arson, looting, and abuse of women because these are not the solutions to these problems. The Council also implores the locals to assist the government in restoring stability and long-lasting peace to the area.

Priyanka Dutta