London: (BY Hannah Chowdhry and Juliet Chowdhry) London’s iconic Parliament Square stood witness to a solemn yet powerful protest on Sunday, May 5th, as scores of individuals gathered to stand in solidarity with the persecuted Christian community of Manipur, India.

Organized by South Asia Solidarity Group and  Unau Welfare UK and International amongst others, the event aimed to amplify the voices of those affected by the targeted attacks and atrocities inflicted upon the Kuki-Zo and Meitei Christian communities.  Read more (here)

Against the backdrop of the historic Houses of Parliament, speakers took to the podium to share testimonies, express grief, and demand justice for the victims of the violence that has ravaged Manipur for over a year. Lun Fitton, a member of Unau Welfare UK and International, led the charge, delivering a heartfelt speech that resonated with attendees and passersby alike.

“May their souls rest in peace,” Fitton solemnly declared, her voice carrying the weight of the lives lost and the suffering endured by his own family members. Her impassioned recounting of their ordeal underscored the human cost of the ongoing conflict and drew attention to the urgent humanitarian crisis unfolding in Manipur.

Fitton addressed the gathering by recounting the staggering toll of the violence: 176 confirmed deaths, 250+ settlements burnt, over 4000 houses destroyed, and 357+ churches reduced to ashes. The anguish in her voice was palpable as she shared the heart-wrenching story of her own family members, among the many victims of the brutal attacks.  Read about the mass burial services held in Manipur (here)

“My aunt, Gouzavung, and her son, Goulalsang, remained unclaimed in hospital morgues for over seven months,” Fitton revealed, her words echoing the pain of countless families grappling with loss. “May their souls rest in peace.”

The narrative unfolded further as Fitton detailed the horrors endured by her community on that fateful day. Family members torn apart, brutal assaults, and the heinous acts of violence perpetrated against innocent women and children painted a grim picture of the savagery unleashed upon the Kuki-Zo Christian community.

Fitton’s testimony was bolstered by accounts from others, including reports of two women tortured for hours, a naked parade that ended in tragedy, and the unspeakable act of burning a mother and her child alive in an ambulance. Despite the gravity of these crimes, no arrests have been made, leaving perpetrators to roam free and continue their reign of terror.

The gathering served not only as a platform for mourning but also as a call to action. Urgent appeals for intervention reverberated through the crowd as speakers highlighted the dire conditions faced by the displaced and the urgent need for humanitarian aid. The lack of government assistance was glaring, with makeshift relief camps struggling to provide even the most basic necessities.

As the speeches continued, attention turned to the broader context of religious persecution in India. From the alarming rise in attacks on Christians, the proliferation of anti-conversion laws to the blatant disregard for human rights, speakers painted a bleak picture of a nation descending into sectarian violence. The need for unity and solidarity across religious and political divides was underscored as a crucial step towards stemming the tide of hatred and violence.

In closing, Fitton issued a passionate plea for support, both immediate and long-term, to alleviate the suffering of her community and rebuild shattered lives. The protest may have been a somber affair, but it was infused with a sense of resilience and determination to seek justice and reclaim peace in Manipur.

As the speeches unfolded, the somber atmosphere in Parliament Square was juxtaposed with a palpable sense of solidarity and resolve. Attendees, representing diverse backgrounds and beliefs, stood united in their condemnation of religious persecution and their commitment to upholding the principles of justice and equality.

The symbolic significance of Parliament Square, situated in the heart of London’s political and cultural landscape, underscored the global significance of the issue at hand. The presence of over 700 individuals, braving the inclement weather to lend their voices to the cause, served as a powerful reminder of the international community’s unwavering support for the victims of persecution in Manipur.

As the protest drew to a close, the message reverberating through Parliament Square was clear: the plight of the Kuki-Zo and Meitei Christian communities would not be forgotten, and their struggle for justice and peace would continue to resonate on the global stage. In the shadow of the Houses of Parliament, a beacon of hope was lit, illuminating the path toward a future free from persecution and violence.

Among the attendees were notable figures such as Juliet Chowdhry, a trustee for the British Asian Christian Association, and her husband Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of United by Faith.

Mr. Chowdhry took to the platform to deliver a stirring address, urging for increased international attention on the plight of Christians in the region. Despite the significant death toll, ongoing attacks, and the staggering number of displaced people, estimated to be around 70,000, he lamented the dearth of media coverage on a global scale. In his impassioned plea, Mr. Chowdhry expressed grave concerns that the lack of attention was enabling atrocities to persist unchecked, with the Indian government failing to take meaningful action in the face of mounting violence.

“As the death toll rises and attacks continue unabated, it is imperative that the world takes notice,” Mr. Chowdhry asserted. “The silence surrounding these heinous acts only emboldens the perpetrators and prolongs the suffering of innocent civilians.”

His words struck a chord with the gathered crowd, underscoring the urgency of the situation and the pressing need for concerted international intervention.

Around 70 people including Christians, Hindus and Muslims attended the protest in solidarity.

Joel Kyari, Trustee for British Asian Christian Association, said:

“Violence in Manipur persists unabated, with minimal efforts made to quell it. The current Modi regime’s apparent disregard for the plight of Manipur’s Christians is alarming, especially as national leaders continue to propagate Hindutva ideology, fostering an environment of religious intolerance within the country.

The atrocious acts of brutality and murder occurring in Manipur often go unnoticed in the West, where the severity of the violence remains largely underestimated.

We fervently hope that the impact of the recent protest, along with continued news coverage, will catalyze action and prompt international agencies and governments to unequivocally stand in solidarity with these persecuted people.”

On Saturday 4th May Unau Welfare UK (North East Indian Christian Community), held a “Prayer for the Persecuted Church” event at St. John’s Church, Southall.  This event was organized in collaboration with the St. John’s and Asian congregation Southall. The event marked a yeear since the brutal attacks and persecution in Manipur.  Willow Chowdhry (13 yrs) spoke a prayer on behalf of the British Asian Christian Association:

At the prayer meeting, David Campanale, serving as advisor to the Prime Minister’s Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion and Belief, Fiona Bruce MP, and a respected member of the International Religious Freedom or Belief Alliance (IRFBA), provided insights into a report he had submitted to the APPG for International Religious Freedom. The report meticulously outlined the widespread atrocities inflicted upon Christians in Manipur, shedding light on the gravity and extent of the violence endured by the community.

David Campanile

Read the entirety of Lun Fitton’s address from the Sunday protest here:

176 confirmed deaths

250+ settlements burnt

Over 4000 houses burnt

357+ churches burnt

Over 45000 persons internally displaced

The figures I just read out pertain to the suffering of the Kuki-Zo Christian community of Manipur, a North East state in India.

53 of our dead remained unattended and unclaimed for over 7 months. They were stuck in hospital morgues located in Imphal, the capital of Manipur. My aunt, Gouzavung (58 years) and my cousin, her son, Goulalsang (28) were among them. Retrieval of their remains was only made possible with the intervention of the Indian Army.

May their souls rest in peace.

Good afternoon everyone. My name is Lun Fitton from Unau Welfare UK and International. Thank you to South Asia Solidarity Group and Amrit, for this platform to share with you my family’s story, and to bring to your attention the grievous human rights violations committed against my community. And the urgent need for intervention.

After taking emergency shelter at a relative’s house in Langol, Imphal on the night of May 3 2023,  the next morning 7 members of my family including my aunt, Gouzavung, her daughter Jamngaihkim (24), her son Goulalsang and his young bride, Nancy Chingthianniang (28) were on their way to take refuge at a nearby CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) camp in Lamphel, Imphal. A mob of over 100 blocked their path and pulled them out of the car. They were subjected to insults and questions about their identity and ethnicity before the mob separated them.

My cousin Goulalsang was chased, encircled, and subjected to a brutal assault with rods, stones and bricks. My aunt, his mum positioned herself between the attackers and him while the mob cheered and carried on until both of them were brutally hacked to death in broad daylight.

Nancy, my sister-in-law was paraded to a different place where the womenfolk shouted to the others to rape her. She was left to die with severe head injuries and fractured wrists and fingers, but miraculously survived to tell her ordeal.

Khamson, my 1-year old nephew who was in the arms of another aunt was not spared either. He was hit several times. His parents tell me he still wakes up in the middle of the night screaming and shaking.

Same day, in another part of Imphal, Olivia Chongloi (21) and Florence Hangsing (24) who worked at a car wash were locked in a room by a mob. Young men entered the room and tortured them. A news report said co-workers could hear their screams and pleas for two hours. When the room was opened, it was filled with the blood and hair of the victims.

The naked parade of two Kuki-Zo women which shocked the nation and the entire world also happened on the same day. Nengkholun, the 19 year old younger brother of one of the women was killed trying to protect her, and her father was murdered in front of her eyes.

On June 4, 7-year-old, Tonsing Hangsing, his mother Meena, and her friend Lydia Lourembam were burnt alive in an ambulance on their way to the hospital.

No arrests have been made for these atrocities, and others not mentioned.