ASIA/INDIA – Claretian priest: “In Manipur, ethnic groups remain divided in the search of a new path of coexistence and dialogue”

Imphal – “As things stand, reconciliation in the state of Manipur is still premature. As far as I can see, there is still resentment in people’s hearts, much suffering, and psychological trauma. It will take some time before the wounds heal and we can speak of dialogue again,” says Father Marcus Thangminlun, CMF, a priest of the Claretian Missionaries who was recently ordained in the Claretian community of Manipur, in an interview with Fides. Father Thangminlun is the first Claretian priest of the Kuki-Zo community. The Claretians are present in various states in northeastern India and have been organized into a religious province since 2023. They fulfill their mission in parishes and schools, while the state of Manipur still feels the effects of the inter-ethnic violence that broke out in May 2023 between the Meitei and Kuki-zo groups.
“The state’s society remains marked by trauma and division: the Kuki and Meitei groups are strictly separated, and the state also has the Naga, who are part of a society that was drawn into and torn apart by the conflict. The Kuki-zo are demanding an autonomous state, which the other groups disagree with.
Today, it is very difficult to speak of coexistence,” he observes. Father Marcus, who comes from Manipur and serves as a priest in this complex situation, emphasizes: “As a priest, I speak about peace and try to be an apostle of peace among both ordinary people and civil leaders. Above all, we always pray for peace.” Regarding the Claretian mission in Manipur, he reports: “Our charism is to proclaim the Word of God and respond to the signs of the times: We are trying to do this here in Manipur, in a torn society. Only the Spirit of God can heal the wounds and bring about an era of reconciliation.”
The Claretians have established the “St. Claret Mission” and opened three centers for displaced people in three rural districts of Manipur: “We help the people; we have established schools in the parishes to meet the needs of the displaced. These are internally displaced persons who have come primarily from the capital, Imphal, and cannot return to their homes and their lives before the conflict. In some cases, their homes and property have been destroyed. Today they are alone and have no means of survival; they have no schools. Among my confreres, four Claretians dedicate themselves to these people, bringing them comfort and concrete help.” “Some of the displaced,” he recalls, “have found a small house to settle in, thanks to the help of the Diocese of Imphal. Many others have nothing; they live in total poverty. The social and political situation is at a standstill, and there are no easy solutions. We are hoping for everyone’s goodwill.”
In Manipur, violence erupted in May 2023 between the Meitei tribe and the Kuki-Zo tribe . Various Naga ethnic groups also live in this state, along with other minority groups. More than 60,000 people have been displaced, and the different ethnic groups are isolated in strictly segregated areas. The tribal groups have demanded the division of the state and separate administration for the tribal-majority areas, but the Meitei reject this, and neither the central nor the federal government has yet agreed to this request. Since February 13, 2025, Manipur has been under the direct presidential administration of New Delhi, while the formation of a government is being considered, which could include members of the Kuki, Meitei, and Naga groups.
According to observers, consultations regarding the formation of a “people’s government” in Manipur are intensifying in the coming weeks. The Kuki-Zo groups are seeking written guarantees for a political agreement, and meetings are currently underway with various groups and leaders from the state and federal governments. The goal is to form a government in Manipur by February 2026.

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