Leaders of the Kerala Catholic Bishops’ Council have urged the Union government to step in and quell the Manipur violence, saying the two-month-old sectarian unrest is sending out a dangerous message in a multicultural country like India.
The KCBC vice-president, Bishop Pauly Kannookadan, has called for strong measures to restore peace in Manipur, where Christian institutions and places of worship have faced attacks.
“It is reported that a gulf has formed between members of the Meitei and Kuki communities and they don’t see eye to eye any more. This in itself is a very dangerous development in a multicultural country like ours,” Kannookadan said while addressing a solidarity meeting for Manipur at St Antony’s Shrine in Ernakulam on Wednesday.
The KCBC secretary-general, Bishop Alex Vadakkumthala, expressed concern at the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. “The Prime Minister is very vocal when he travels abroad, where he talks about Indian democracy, diversity, peaceful coexistence of the people and the safety of minorities. But why is he silent about the Manipur violence even after two months?” Vadakkumthala said.
“He should intervene in the matter since he is the Prime Minister of all Indian citizens.”
Fr Jacob Palackapilly, KCBC deputy secretary-general and spokesperson, told The Telegraph that it was a matter of great concern that weapons were being allegedly smuggled in.
