Mobilize Manipur Relief and Prayer Rally for Peaceful Solution

Benjamin Chan

May 9, 2023

According to the news, on May 4, “Severe clashes have gripped the eastern state of Manipur in India. A total of fifty-five columns of the Army and Assam Rifles had to be deployed to contain widespread rioting. The unrest and riots broke between tribals and the majority Meitei community… some 5,000 people have been shifted to safe homes in Churachandpur, another 2,000 people were shifted in Imphal Valley, and 2,000 people in the border town of Moreh in Tenugopal district… (https://www.livemint.com/news/india/manipur-violence-news-cm-biren-singh-says-riots-as-a-result-of-misunderstanding-11683201808667.html).

The American Baptist World Relief Office and International Ministries have provided an OGHS Emergency Grant to the Council Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI) to coordinate relief supply, while CBCNEI officers were meeting with leaders of the Manipur Baptist Convention and Kuki Baptist Convention (see picture) to work together to assist the victims in several refugee camps. (see a second Appeal.)

The India Mission Coordination Committee (IMCC) has organized Prayer for Manipur Zoom meeting on May 7; and Telugu Baptist Samaikyatha (Fellowship) has organized a Call to Pray for Peace in Manipur Zoom meeting on May 10 (See posters). On May 8, Rev. Samaresh Nayak, IMCC Executive Director issued a Manipur Relief Appeal asking Baptist churches and the rest of India for considering any relief for the situation in Manipur, as follows:

MANIPUR RELIEF APPEAL

Dear IMCC Partners, Leaders and Church leaders;

Most of you are aware about the recent violence in Manipur and have been praying. We have been closely monitoring the situation in Manipur and inquiring regular updates from Rev. Losii Mao, the General Secretary of Manipur Baptist Convention.

As on today May 08, 2023 the first phase of relief work is being allowed for the large number of people living in different relief camps. The Manipur Baptist Convention (MBC) has called its 29 associations to come forward with rice, dal, potatoes, other dry foods, clothing, sanitary napkins and other essentials and go to different relief camps and the associations under Manipur Baptist Convention has started reaching to the relief camps.

Since procurement of goods are now a challenge in Manipur, the Manipur Baptist Convention is also contacting outside vendors from Dimapur and other nearby places to provide them the goods and money can be send to the vendors as per the advice of Manipur Baptist Convention.

There are large numbers of believers have been travelling outside of Manipur to different parts of India, wherever they have their relatives or friends and most of these days all the flights are over booked and police is also escorting people to the airport.

The Council of Baptist Churches in North East India (CBCNEI) has already appealed to the Regional Conventions to help the Manipur Baptist Convention to carry out relief work and their officers are also in touch with the Manipur Baptist Convention.

This appeal goes beyond the CBCNEI Churches and to the rest of India for considering any relief for the situation in Manipur. You can either transfer cash to the bank account of Manipur Baptist Convention or to the vendors as per the advice of Manipur Baptist Convention.

A delegation from ADF, New Delhi are travelling to Imphal tomorrow and will be received by Manipur Baptist Convention. Kindly uphold them in your prayers.

In Fellowship of our Lord Jesus

Rev. Samaresh Nayak