Upset, shocked at Christians' plight in Manipur: Catholic bishops
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New Delhi: The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) said that it is deeply saddened and shocked after Christians got persecuted in the violence that broke out in Manipur.
In a statement, CBCI requested all bishops to urge parishes and religious institutions to carry out prayer services for peace in the state. It requested warring factions to have dialogue for a resolution and restore peace.
The Catholic Church is very much concerned for the people of Manipur, irrespective of which tribe or community they belong to.
The statement said that the violence in the state happened after Meitei groups initiated a counter-demonstration to the demonstrations held by Kukis. During the Meitei's turn, a Kuki war memorial was burnt down. The state police reacting late to a massive gathering of Kukis in some districts and growing anxiety among the two communities about each other in the recent past are some factors which resulted in the violence that Manipur has faced in recent days, the statement explained.
Three Churches and a number of houses have been set on fire, and a number of people have been forced to flee, it noted.
The situation still remains tense even though the Army and central armed police forces have brought it under control. The North East states have set up helplines and have made evacuation plans to take people, mainly students, to safer places, it added.
