Amidst ethnic disturbance and killing, Caritas India Chairman, Most Rev. Sebastian Kallupura, and Executive Director, Fr. (Dr.) Paul Moonjely visited the ethnic conflict-affected areas of Manipur on 13th June 2023.

Since May 3, 2023, Manipur has been under tremendous turmoil due to ethnic conflict between two ethnic groups. The violence erupted over a long-standing demand by the Meitei people for a Scheduled Tribe status. According to the media reports more than 100 people lost their lives and 47,914 people took refuge in relief camps.

The visit of Caritas India management aimed to access the situation and plan for the rehabilitation program based on the present violent situation prevailing in Manipur. The visit started with a meeting with the Deputy Commissioner of Imphal East, Ms. Diana Devi. Assistant Director of DSSS, Fr. Sony introduced the Caritas Management Team to the Deputy Commissioner. Fr. Paul expressed his gratitude to the Deputy Commissioner for her valuable and positive support to the Caritas India team during the emergency response in Imphal East and Kangpokpi Districts of Manipur.

Fr. Paul also handed over the Caritas India report on Humanitarian Response in Imphal East to the Deputy Commissioner. He briefed Deputy Commissioner about Caritas India and its core competence in Humanitarian response following the Core Humanitarian Standards to ensure human dignity and avoid duplicity. He added that dignity kits are included in the relief material which contains basic items for ensuring dignity. He also talked about Caritas India’s other thematic interventions in Manipur like FARM NE and various emergency responses.
Deputy Commissioner Ms. Diana Devi appreciated the humanitarian assistance given by Caritas India and handed over an Appreciation letter to the Caritas India team. “I was very happy to see that all the kits provided by Caritas India wherein basic lifesaving items were included in the kits,” said the deputy commissioner. She added that all the kits were very much appreciated by the people.

Fr. Paul discussed the present situation and the government’s plan for a rehabilitation program for the crisis-affected families to plan organization response. Deputy Commissioner informed that present the situation is very tense and the government is trying to bring normalcy both in the valley and hills. At present relief camps have been set up in many places. Currently, the daily food requirement is being taken care of but the most challenging would be a rehabilitation program, especially their livelihood options and the future of the affected and displaced school-going children. This needs to be designed as per the needs of the victims. Deputy Commissioner also mentioned that 4000 fabricated houses would be provided for both Meitei and Kuki communities.

The Caritas India team visited the relief camp set up at Biramongal College in Imphal East district to interact with the camp inmates. Ms. Devi (name changed) narrated her experiences of 3rd May night. She said that it was on 3rd May mid-night when she left her house due to ethnic conflict and took shelter in her relative house for a night. At present, she is in Biramongal College relief camp which Caritas India is supporting. She says, “When I heard that my house was burnt I could not control my emotions because that was my house where I was born and brought. I want to see my burnt house but till now I could not see the house. This pained me so much.” She has requested support in the restoration of her houses if it is possible.

Another inmate shared her experiences of 3rd May mid-night, “I never thought that this conflict will happen between Kuki and us, as we have been living together for a long time sharing brotherhood and sisterhood. Within no time we became enemies which pained me so much.”

Children and teens are most affected in such situations and tend to develop anxiety and trauma. Most Rev. Sebastian and Fr. (Dr.) Paul interacted with the children at the camps and presented football to the girls and boys to keep them happy.

On the second day, Caritas India along with MPs from Kerala and other stakeholders had a meeting at Don Bosco Parish Churachanpur district wherein Mr. Lalboy, the general secretary of Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF) narrated the genesis of the conflict.

From the humanitarian aspect, saving the lives of the people and providing immediate support of the affected population becomes the priority. Difficulties faced in the relief camps need to be addressed. The fear, trauma, and insecurity felt by the victims could be sensed when they shared their stories. Mr. Lalboy, therefore, stressed the safety of the victims and other issues faced in the relief camps. He further appealed to consider different aspects of the victims before designing the program.

The interaction with Mrs. Helena one of the camp inmates of Don Bosco Relief Camp brought sorrow in her voice. She said, “I left my house on 3rd May mid-night with the help of some people and reached Churachanpur town with my children. My houses were burnt down. Autorishaw which is the main source of income also burnt down the same night. Now, I am left with nothing in the relief camp. My only fear is the future of the children. I have no future now”.