Archbishop Emeritus Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati has undertaken two solo peace missions to Manipur since the outbreak of ethnic violence on May 3.
During his visits, the 87-year-old Salesian archbishop spent three days each in the violence-stricken Kuki areas of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, where he engaged with individuals in relief camps, as well as the Meitei areas, where he met with their elders and leaders.
Archbishop Menamparampil held meetings with esteemed members of society, retired officers, ministers, and intellectuals who possess moral authority within their respective communities on both sides.
On June 5, he joined 18 religious leaders from various faith traditions in signing an interfaith appeal for calm and an end to the violence.
The ethnic conflict between the predominantly Hindu Meitei community and tribal Christians in Manipur, a northeastern Indian state, has resulted in the loss of approximately 100 lives and extensive damage to hundreds of houses. Moreover, 142 villages, over 400 churches, and 83 church institutions have been set ablaze.
Presently, more than 40,000 individuals from different communities are being accommodated in 272 relief camps, including community halls, spread across 13 districts of Manipur.
Throughout his 40-year-long dedication to peace initiatives, Archbishop Menamparampil has addressed ethnic flashpoints in northeastern India, including Kokrajhar, Churachandpur, Haflong, Diphu, Udalguri, Mendipathar, and Sarupathar.
