 |
| At least 120 people have been killed in armed clashes in Manipur since May |
According to the French news agency AFP, at least 120 people have been killed since May in armed clashes between the majority Hindu Meitei and Christian Kuki communities in the northeastern Indian state of Manipur.
In front of the burnt church, Pastor Zwan Kaming Damai performed the rite of Christian baptism on Sunday, attended by only a third of the usual number of people, as many Kuki followers had left the area.
"After these riots broke out, they went to different places to save their lives," Pastor Xuan Kaming said. They want to come back, they want to move, they want to be with my family.
"That's what they told me and I comforted them to believe in God," said Xuan Kaming Damai.
Damai belongs to the Naga tribe, a major tribal group in the region, and this group has largely been spared reprisal attacks. However, many of Zhuang's followers were frightened by the violence.
 |
| Only one third of the people attended the baptism ceremony |
The 55-year-old priest said: "Whether one is Christian, Hindu, Muslim or whatever.
In turn, India's Home Minister Amit Shah promised a "thorough and impartial investigation" into the violence and said "the government stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Manipur".
Many people say that religious divisions fuel this conflict. Manipur has been in a state of civil war for the past two months.
It may be recalled that the violent riots erupted after Christian Kokkis protested in the state against state-sponsored land acquisition permit and special status for Hindus in their populated area.
