Tribal leaders from conflict-ridden state of Manipur have made a direct appeal to the UK’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief, pleading for international intervention to help their community survive persistent anti-Christian violence and systemic neglect.
The humanitarian crisis began two years ago when extremist Hindu groups launched coordinated attacks, destroying over 360 churches and 7,000 homes belonging to Christians. More than 200 people lost their lives in the violence, and nearly 60,000 Christians from the region are now internally displaced, unable to return to their villages or rebuild their communities.
Church representatives from the Kuki-Zo tribal group, who have borne the brunt of the attacks, compiled a comprehensive report on the ongoing persecution. The report was submitted to the UK Envoy, Ben Smith MP, and shared with officials from the Foreign Office.
Among those raising the alarm is Rev Kailean Khongsai, a pastor based in Harrow, London, who originally hails from Manipur. Reflecting on the crisis, he said, “There is no sign of healing in Manipur, even with President’s Rule now in effect. Every day I hear the pain in the voices of my parents, relatives, and church family—an unending echo of fear and heartbreak. Many have lost all hope.”
He described how thousands remain cut off from basic services, despite the Indian government’s full awareness of the situation.
“For nearly two years, our people have endured unthinkable hardship—displaced, ignored, and stripped of their dignity,” Rev Khongsai said. “Children are growing up in camps with no access to education. The ill suffer without proper care. Grieving families bury loved ones with no answers. How much longer must this continue?”
British officials have reportedly acknowledged the severity of the crisis, describing it as a “priority issue,” and suggested that the tribal leaders’ report could play a role in building awareness, particularly given the restrictions on foreign entry into the Manipur region.
Rev Khongsai also spoke of conversations he’s had with senior Christian leaders from his homeland. “Their despair is evident,” he said. “One pastor, his voice shaking, asked me: ‘How can we return to our homes in the Imphal Valley when Meitei extremist groups still roam free? Who will protect us when the Prime Minister remains silent and the former Chief Minister—accused of inciting this violence—remains free and celebrated?’”
He urged the British government to publicly denounce the ongoing persecution and pressure the Indian authorities to safeguard the rights and wellbeing of the Kuki-Zo and other affected Christian communities.
