On May 3, 2023, Manipur State in North Eastern India, witnessed the beginning of a spate of violence and destruction including murder, arson, rape, and indiscriminate brutality.  The perpetrators were the dominant community, the Meiteis, supported by the State government and the police;  the victims were the Kukis, a tribal group that lives in the hills of the state. 

Manipur is 22,327 sq. kilometers in area.  Ten percent of the land is in the fertile Imphal Valley, which is also home to the State Capital of Imphal, and houses most of the prestigious educational, medical, and research institutions of the state. It is also home to the almost 56% of the Meitei people, mostly Hindus.  The hills that comprise 90% of the state are inhabited mostly by tribal clans such as the Hmar, Mizos, Paite, and Kukis who are referred to as ‘Kuki-Zo’ (henceforth Kukis), and the Nagas.  The Kukis and the Nagas are almost all Christians.  It must be noted that both Meiteis and Kukis, in small groups, have settled in each other’s areas throughout the state for economic and other reasons.

My introduction to the Kukis was when I joined the teaching staff of Presbyterian Theological Seminary (PTS) in 1982.  At that time Northeast Indian students comprised the largest majority in our small student body of about 35 students.  They were sent primarily by Reformed and Presbyterian churches in Manipur and were serious about evangelism.  Very often we would get applications from prospective students who gave their occupation as school teacher / evangelist.  It was only later that we learned that a school-teacher began working in the remote hilly areas providing much needed basic education to children.  These school teachers would also share the gospel with the people and eventually this led to a church plant.  Sensing the need for theological training for themselves they enrolled at the seminary at great personal cost. Since the seminary at that time did not have married students’ quarters, married students would come leaving their families behind, to complete the 4 year Bachelor of Theology course.  Moreover, the location of Manipur State, in the furthest northeastern regions of India, being further than Bangladesh, and bordering Myanmar (formerly Burma), meant that a student would often take 4-5 days travelling by bus, train, and, sometimes by air, to complete the journey.  Even during Christmas breaks, students would often stay behind on campus since the time and money spent on travelling would not justify a few days of vacation.   At seminary, they were outstanding in sports and physical activities, and had beautiful voices   The seminary also has had students from the Meitei community.  Both communities have produced some exceptional alumni.  Even though relatively small in size in comparison to the Kuki Christians, Meitei Christians and pastors live in the largely Hindu dominated Imphal Valley in the State.       

It appears that the violence in the state of Manipur was carried out with calculated premeditation.  Soon after the early violence, there was a state government imposed ban on internet (even today mobile internet is banned).  This meant there was no media coverage on the atrocities carried out.  When some Kukis got access to the internet from nearby states, the outside world came to know that the carnage was state sponsored with prominent politicians spurring the people to engage in violence, supported by the police, and some brutal local militia groups. Stories of the victims have sent shock waves throughout the nation.  These included parading two women naked in public– a video of which went viral on the internet and shook the nation. These women, as well as many others, were raped and gang-raped.  Parliamentary debates rocked the house.  Women’s associations and commissions from all across India cried shame on the nation for this blotch on modern India, and called for immediate action against the perpetrators of these crimes. 

Though investigations on these actions are proceeding, the hate for the innocent has not abated.  Now completing over 100 days, the violence is still simmering and the toll is unbelievable:  150 persons murdered, about 250 churches vandalized and set on fire, several homes and businesses set ablaze, above 56,000 people in refugee camps, the victims are mostly the Kukis.  The government was slow to acknowledge the seriousness of the situation, until the case of the two women surfaced.  This was only one of the many abuses against women and children that were carried out.  In July 2023, the European Union discussed the situation in Manipur at its plenary session held in Strasbourg, France. Many of the representatives expressed their horror and shock at the reports on Manipur.  They also noted that it was a violation of a fundamental right of religious freedom. The Indian government’s response was that Manipur is an internal matter.

The ongoing violence that erupted in May against the Kukis was a direct result of several peaceful student protest marches in the Kuki dominated Churachandpur District, in the north of the state.  They protested a recent suggestion (in March) by a judicial authority to include the Meiteis into the list of Scheduled Tribes (ST).  The Meiteis had refused this categorization during the time of the accession of the State of Manipur into the Union of India on 21 September 1949 – one of the 500 such princely states that became part of India.  The move now to request this category for themselves would give them access to many of the concessions and privileges reserved for ST persons - but most of all what troubled the Kukis was that with their inclusion as a Scheduled Tribe they would now have more access to buy and inhabit the hilly tracts that were protected for the use of the hill tribes.

The immediate victims of the violence were Kukis who were in Meitei dominated areas, such as the State capital, Imphal, and the Imphal Valley.  For days the fires of arson burned as houses, buildings, churches, schools, vehicles, etc. belonging to the Kukis were targeted.   This destruction went hand in hand with brutal killings, rape, and torture.  The violence was promoted by the majority populace with the support of the State machinery, especially the police.  Subsequent investigations have revealed that arms and ammunition from Government holdings were allowed to be used by the marauders.  The internet ban in the State further ensured that the dark deeds in the State could proceed without hindrance, as the outside world was totally oblivious to the actual state of affairs. Added to this, there were several cases of fake news circulated that blamed the violence on the Kukis.  This was later confirmed when honest Meitei people themselves spoke up to correct the false charges.  By the time the truth was verified the damage was already done.

Due to roadblocks at the normal entry site into the state at Imphal, any vehicles seeking entry into the state now need to travel an additional of about 18 hours to enter the state.  This applies to any Kuki people who have to go on some urgent business to the state to visit relatives or even for the burial of their loved ones from out of state.  Food supplies or other help sent via road to the refugees have to travel this circuitous route to reach their destination..  It is extremely unsafe for any outsiders to venture into areas in Manipur that are dominated by Meiteis.  A recent media news report carried news about Meitei women checking the Identity cards of the Army troops sent to keep law and order to ensure that only those whom they approve will be allowed to be on duty!  Although the situation has improved, there seems to be a stalemate as the Kukis want separation of their hilly areas and greater autonomy and a fair share of government funds that would justify a grant for people living in 90% of the land.  

How did the Indian church respond?  Numerous churches and individuals began to collect funds and send them to those in the refugee camps.  The Roman Catholic Church organized supplies of foodstuff, clothing, and other materials from distant Goa to the suffering people in Manipur.  Evangelical churches and organizations are taking initiatives to send relief in cash or kind.  A recently inaugurated Christian College in Maharashtra extended full tuition and board for Kuki students in their programs.  In general, the sympathy and consideration for these suffering brothers and sisters has propelled the Indian church into action.  In closing, how are the Kukis responding to the hate, injustice, violence, loss of property, and personal injury and loss of lives?  One of the moving pictures that comes to my mind is Kuki Christian women, in their own domain in Churachandpur district, forming a human chain between some miscreants who tried to attack innocent Meiteis in their locality, so that they could be safe.  We hope that that Lord will use these and other such incidents of love to speak to those who hate His people.  Please pray for Manipur state, the suffering Christians, and that justice will prevail!

The above information has been gathered from THE INEVITABLE SPLIT: Documents on State-Sponsored Ethnic Cleansing in Manipur, 2023. Compiled & Published by MEDIA & IT CELL Zomi Students’ Federation, Gen. Hqtrs. Lamka, Manipur, 2023; numerous media interviews, especially from The Wire  channel of Meiteis and Kukis, and other news reports from the conflict areas.  The author is grateful to Dr. Chanreiso Lungleng, faculty, Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Dehradun, for clarifying information on tribal identities, and the current situation in the state.

Dr. Matthew Ebenezer is a Member of the WRF Board of Directors. He is an ordained teaching elder of the Reformed Presbyterian Church of India (RPCI). He has served on the Board of the WRF since 2006. Matthew began teaching at Presbyterian Theological Seminary (PTS), Dehra Dun, India in 1982.  Between 2004 and 2014 he was engaged in other ministry opportunities that included serving as Country Director for Mission to the World (MTW) in his native Sri Lanka, overseeing Tsunami rehabilitation; Director for Theological Education for MTW’s church planting work in India, and Adjunct Professor of Church History and Practical Theology at the New Theological College, Dehra Dun.  He is now Interim Principal of PTS (from August 2014). In addition to his administrative duties, Matthew teaches Church History and Practical Theology at PTS.