SW News: Amidst the unrelenting ethnic conflict in the Indian state of Manipur, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) has designated July 2 as a 'Sunday for Peace and Prayer' for the suffering people of Manipur.

In a letter, Archbishop Andrews Thazhath, the President of the CBCI, addressed the religious and the faithful of India asking them to “come together” to "offer prayers and sacrifices for the restoration of peace and reconciliation among the communities in conflict."

In the letter, Archbishop Thazhath stated that according to the information received from the Archbishop of Imphal, more than 50,000 residents have been displaced, houses torched and places of worship desecrated.

In his letter, Archbishop Thazhath offered six suggestions, including arranging a Eucharistic Holy Hour at parishes, to “make this day more significant,” across the nation.

The anarchy and violence in Manipur have reached such heights that retired lieutenant general from Manipur, L. Nishikanta Singh said, "The state is now ‘stateless’”, comparing it to countries including Nigeria and Lebanon.