The Archbishop of Imphal has called for urgent dialogue and reconciliation as Manipur faces deepening political uncertainty following the resignation of Chief Minister Biren Singh.
Ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities continues to escalate, exacerbating tensions in the state.
“With the resignation of the Prime Minister, we find ourselves in a political stalemate and we must wait and see,” Archbishop Linus Neli told Fides News Agency.
He described the crisis as “very complex” and stressed that “it is not easy to find a solution.”
Manipur has been engulfed in turmoil since May 2023, when violent clashes erupted between the Meitei and Kuki-Zo communities, displacing thousands.
Despite a significant security presence, sporadic clashes persist. Authorities have largely separated the warring factions into isolated zones, but long-term peace remains elusive.
“It is necessary to continue efforts to activate a path of dialogue that involves all possible actors, at the local level, at the level of the central government, at the level of the representation of civil society and the communities in conflict,” Archbishop Neli urged.
Biren Singh, a two-term leader from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), resigned amid internal party disagreements over his handling of the crisis.
“The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), which governs Manipur, will have to find another politician to appoint as Prime Minister. In the meantime, the administration is temporarily subordinate to the central government in Delhi. Now we have to wait and see, and the situation will become even more complicated,” Archbishop Neli noted.
If the BJP fails to agree on a successor, the state assembly could be dissolved, prompting fresh elections. The ongoing political uncertainty further destabilizes a region already grappling with violence.
The Catholic Church, with members across both communities, has been actively advocating for peace. “We are in the Jubilee Holy Year and the theme is hope: our hope is that a concrete step of reconciliation can take place this year,” Archbishop Neli said.
He emphasized the importance of collective willpower, adding, “The most important thing is a common will. Let us pray and hope that the Lord will accompany us on this path of rapprochement and pacification.”
