India: Tens of Thousands of Manipur Christians Displaced Amid Conflict

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – As India’s Manipur state continues to be wracked by over eight months of violence, tens of thousands of Christians from the Kuki-Zo tribal community have now been displaced and at least 80 community members, including women and children, have died due to desperately poor living conditions and lack of healthcare, the Christian Post (CP) reports.

Triggered by the mostly Hindu Meitei community following a dispute over land rights and identity, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of 158 Kuki-Zo members and the displacement of around 41,000, the Christian Post reports. There have also been reports of gang rapes against Kuki-Zo women, and the destruction of homes by Meitei members.

In a statement to the Christian Post, Mary Beth, a spokeswoman for the Rural Women Upliftment Society said at least 21,000 Christians have sought shelter in 10 local relief camps in the Churachandpur district, which is inhabited by the Kuki-Zo people. “At least 80 displaced individuals, including women and children, have died primarily due to the absence of specialist doctors and essential medicine,” the Christian Post was told.

Moreover, Christians are at increased high risk of violence as Meitei civilians are reportedly blocking security personnel. Indeed, the Christian Post learned: “The local police, dominated by the Meiteis, have been accused of attacking the Kuki-Zo community.”

Ruled by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party almost uninterruptedly since 2014, India ranks 11 on the US Open Doors World Watch List (WWL) 2023 of top 50 countries where Christians are persecuted. Prior to the BJP’s ascension to power, India had ranked 31 on the WWL.

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