NCC Leaders Survey/ Relief Visit to Manipur 20th - 23rd September 2023 - A Report
Founder President of NCC Dr Sam Paul led a team of leaders to Manipur for conducting a survey and carry out relief activities. He was accompanied by National Vice President Rev Brighty Beulah, NCC TS State GHMC Regional Chairman Bishop Sanjay Anand & National Secretary Mrs. Sangeetha Paul.
NCC North East Leaders, North East Region President Pastor. NK Gurung and NE Region Vice President Rev. Dr. Thungdemo Lotha coordinated the trip along with Rev. Dr. Indrajit. As informed by them and local seior police officers, the situation was very volatile and precarious.
NCC Leaders visited there after much prayer and through the cooperation extended by a few extra mile goers. As the team landed there, Rev Dr Indrajit Sanasham NCC Manipur State President who was supposed to be receiving the team was obstructed on the way and was not allowed to travel to the airport as it was a Bandh Day (a day of strike), he was unable to come to meet the team and for a while couldn't return home too and was stranded on the road and later returned to his place.
Then he was able to arrange through a friend to send some other friend to receive the team at the airport and to take them to a nearby guest house / hotel to stay for the night. It was a very risky and uncertain time, but the Lord strengthened them.
Then the team was told that the next day is the Black Day observed by some outlawed groups and it's not safe to travel. However early in the morning, before all activities started, the team left for our friend's place. On the way they were stopped a few times before they reached their destination. In the afternoon and evening they were able to meet people and talk to various persons both men and women as to what's the issue and what are the solutions for a better future.
A resounding reply was that the state government and the Prime Minister are just silent as if Manipur doesn't exist. Every one said that this eerie silence is so deafening . The team was able to see destroyed / burnt Churches and pray with them for peace in the locality and for the reconstruction of Churches and for the reconstruction of the broken brotherhood, peace and trust between the communities in local places.
The next day they were told it's a Curfew Day and it will be difficult to travel. In the midst of all this, and various strong negative news, they were able to conduct the relief camp of NCC.
In the camp, Dr. Sam Paul spoke briefly saying that Unity is the need of the hour and encouraged all that, though there are over 38 communities that exist in Manipur that all should be united to help and assist each other without any differences. We should teach our next generation to live in this commitment of Unity for service to all in need even in this diversity. Bishop Sanjay Anand brought greetings and said that very soon we will visit for a longer time with more NCC leaders to render more service. Rev. Brighty Beulah said that we all should be happy always and true happiness comes by loving others sincerely even those from other communities that live around us, in spite of the rumours about them. Mrs. Sangeetha Paul said that as the creation of God, whichever community we belong to, all of us have the same blood that flows in us. So, we should be United.
Then the team distributed Family Relief Kits, The survey of the team gave a clear picture of how communalism has seeped deep inside Manipur that generated rumours, hatred, killings, rapes and war from May 3, 2023.
A few excerpts of the latest on Manipur:
1. The number of persons forcibly displaced due to the violence: 70,000+
2. At least 10,000 children staying in relief camps
3. Number of Houses Burnt / Destroyed: 7,500+
4. Number of Deaths: 180+ in the past 4 months. Other reported deaths from camps in the districts of Churachandpur & Kangpokpi are: 45.
5. The number of arms looted from police armouries and police stations: 4,000+ More than 200 AK-47s 406 carbines, 551 INSAS rifles, 250 machine guns, and five lakh rounds of ammunition primarily in the Meitei- dominated Imphal valley. No recoveries are known so far.
6. Crimes against women: 25+
7. The Tribal Students Federation claimed that out of the 27 women affected, 7 were raped, 8were strangled, 2 were burnt, 5 were shot dead, 3 were lynched.
(Sources include: Community Leaders, CRI, Tribal Students Federation, etc).
Though there were such difficult days on the ground, the team was able to have a time of meetings, lengthy fellowships, visitations, sitting in relief camps / outposts and learning about how to bring peace to Manipur. We would like to assess the situation in a few weeks and plan a trip again in November this year that any NCC Leaders and friends can join.
NCC appeals to all to please pray, visit there or help to bring relief to more and to rebuild many lives in Manipur by your resources mobilization.
Report By: NCC Media Correspondent
