SW News: After days of spiraling violence in the Indian northeastern state of Manipur, the situation remains tense. The violence between two ethnic groups left at least 73 people dead and almost 400 churches torched. Fighting broke out between the mostly Christian Kuki-Zo tribals and the mostly Hindu Meitei who form the majority in the state.

According to the local daily Ukhrul Times, a security adviser to the state government said that the 488 weapons and 6,800 rounds of ammunition looted during the days of fighting have been recovered. There are also reports that the Assam Rifles unit of the Indian military was instrumental in recovering 22 pounds of explosives and 2000 detonators.

The Christian-dominant Kuki-Zo communities who live in the hilly Churachandpur district allege that two outfits of the Meitei—the Arambai Tengoll and Meitei Leepun—unleashed the attacks on the tribals. On May 3, the violence began and it quickly swallowed the Imphal Valley where most of the Hindu Meitei reside and it then spread to the area where the tribal believers are staying. For four days, Manipur burned and Christian places of worship and institutions became soft targets. There are still fears that there could be retributory attacks as both communities still possess a large cache of weapons.
In the attacks, 64 Christians were killed and at least 200 people were injured.

More than 1,700 houses were either razed, torched or damaged in the violence. Close to 50,000 residents of the state became internally displaced following the attacks. Out of them are 35,000 Christians. While the houses of Hindus in the tribal belt have been destroyed or damaged, the same fate has befallen the houses of the Kuki-Zo in the Imphal Valley.

Among the 397 churches burnt by the Hindus are places of worship of the Meitei people who had embraced Christianity. Meanwhile, with the restoration of a fragile truce, Archbishop Dominic Lumon of Imphal, who has jurisdiction over the entire state, made an earnest appeal for funds to help the victims of violence. He also pointed out the general sense of helplessness and despair among the victims of the violence irrespective of their religion.

The Diocese of Imphal also criticized the apathy of the police in stemming violence and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Vicar General Fr Varghese Velikakam said even after repeated assaults no security cover was provided to Christian places of worship and institutions. The vicar general also appealed to Christians to act with caution and maintain peace and unity.