Views
Churches in Manipur Must Witness through reconciliation and Peace-making.
Christians who make up almost 42 percent of the population has a crucial role to play, not only building their churches burnt down in the violence, not only caring for their flock that is scattered but also being agents of healing and reconciliation.
May 10, 2023By Editor
The violence in the hill state of Manipur has killed more than fifty people, displaced more than 35,000, and has reduced numerous worship places to ashes. According to security forces only 240 of the thousand weapons looted from them is recovered so far. That means there are more than 700 weapons in the hands of the civilians, which will keep the tension going.
But Supreme Court of India on May 8th observed that the Manipur High Court had no business asking the state government to consider adding Meitei’s to the Scheduled Tribes list since this prerogative remained with the President of India, it has made irrecoverable damage to the Manipuri community.
Unless there are effective measures to reconciliation, this conflict which has divided Manipur in the middle as the two warring factions are almost equal in number, will continue to simmer. The Meiteis make up 53% of the population and the tribals 47%.
Whatever ignited this fire, the responsibility of putting it off is in the hands of the people. Christians who make up almost 42 percent of the population has a crucial role to play, not only building their churches burnt down in the violence, not only caring for their flock that is scattered but also being agents of healing and reconciliation.
This is the time to pray for wisdom and divine guidance in being agents of peace and reconciliation.
