Imphal, May 08, 2023 (PPI-OT): 50-year-old pastor, a Kuki, is among the 5,000 Christian victims of violence sheltering at a displaced camp in Mantripukhuri on the outskirts of Imphal in Manipur.

Khongsai’s family arrived at the camp two days ago after a Hindu mob burnt down his church, the theological college where he taught, and the quarters he had called home for 20 years. The pastor put up at the camp two days later, after helping other victims.

The conflict in Manipur between the Hindu Meitei majority, concentrated in the Imphal valley, and the mostly Christian Kukis, based largely in the hills, has affected both the well-to-do and the poor and taken a heavy toll on life and property.

“My wife and children shifted to the camp on Thursday after a 100-strong mob entered the Kuki Christian Church compound in Imphal City and wreaked havoc,” Khongsai said.

“We had to run for our lives. The security forces couldn’t control (the situation). I shifted to the camp on Saturday after taking care of those left behind on the compound.”

Of the around 300 people who lived on the church compound, more than 100 have moved to the relief camp, which is also sheltering members of other tribes, Khongsai said.

He wants to move to Kangpokpi, about 30km from the relief camp in Imphal, where the family has relatives.

“Besides myself, my wife and our three children, we also have 15 relatives in the camp. My sister-in-law is pregnant. Please help us shift,” he said. “I only have the T-shirt and the trousers I’m wearing. We couldn’t save anything.”

Khongsai said he had “secretly” visited the church compound, 7km from the relief camp, once — inmates are not allowed to venture out in view of the security risk. “Nothing is left; whatever was left got looted,” he said.

Khongsai added: “It will be very difficult for us to return to Imphal. Pray for us, pray for peace.”

Khongsai said the camp inmates received two meals a day. He added that over 10,000 people were staying in relief camps in their “own city”.

The violence broke out on May 3 in connection with the Hindu Meiteis’ demand for Scheduled Tribe status, which is opposed by the state’s tribal populace, including Kukis and Nagas who enjoy ST status.

The Indian army said that 23,000 people had been “rescued” and moved to the force’s “operating bases/ military garrisons”.

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