Imphal (AsiaNews) – The Catholic Archdiocese of Imphal has started a housing rehabilitation project to help displaced families in Manipur, following the outbreak of violence between ethnic Meitei and Kuki in May 2023.
In just over a year, violence has caused more than 200 deaths and left behind deep wounds. Tens of thousands of people are still homeless after fleeing their village to escape violence.
For ethnic Kuki, who are mostly Christian, the archdiocese is promoting the construction of 600 homes, with a financial commitment of 5400,000 rupees (around US$ 6,000) per unit, this according to Fr Varghese Velickakam, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Imphal, who coordinates the relief efforts.
“The internally displaced persons ( IDPs) in Munbi, Singangat parish, Churachandpur district in the Indian state of Manipur, are being settled in newly built houses. They are victims of violence in Manipur,” said Fr Velickakam speaking to AsiaNews. “This project is a reality thanks to the dioceses, congregations, CSOs[*] and individuals in India,” he added.
To support these efforts, the Conference of Diocesan Priests of India (CDPI) launched the “Minimum of Rs. 500 to Manipur” challenge, inviting every priest in the country to raise that sum of money.
The fundraiser will last until August 2024 with contributions allocated to the Archdiocese of Imphal, with the aim of completing the housing project by February 2025.
The challenge is not only about rebuilding physical structures to replace hundreds of homes destroyed during the violence, but also to provide spiritual support to those who have suffered from the clashes.
“IDPs are hard-working people, and with an intense desire to live in dignity and peace,” Fr Velickakam explained. “They still require a dining table, chairs and at least one coat for minimum comfort.”
Violence broke out last year following a ruling by the Manipur High Court, granting Scheduled Tribe status to the valley-based, predominantly Hindu Meitei community. This status provides protection to indigenous land rights.
More than three-quarters of the displaced people are said to be still in the state, while almost a fifth have moved to the neighbouring state of Mizoram, and the rest to Nagaland and Assam.
Many have settled in Singangat parish, Churachandpur district, where the predominantly Christian Kuki-Zou community are the majority, in a state governed by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Another 45,000 people have taken refuge in Kangpokpi district. Meanwhile, “We are doing rehabilitation of houses, mainly for Catholics who are from St Joseph Parish Sugnu in Chandel District,” Fr Velickakam explained.
Catholic families lost some 1,200 houses in this parish alone, not to mention scores of homes located on the outskirts of Imphal.
“They lost everything: land, houses, vehicles and livelihoods, educational institutions, etc.," added the vicar general of the Archdiocese of Imphal.
[*] Civil society organisations.
