Archbishop Peter Machado of Bangalore offered free education and hostel accommodations to young adults from Manipur, a troubled northeastern state in India, on June 12, 2023.
The public relations officer of the archdiocese, Aloysius Kantharaj, said, "The young people sought safety in Bengaluru and were provided solace."
Upon hearing the Manipur youth's plea for assistance, Archbishop Machado offered all-around assistance and said Bengaluru is an excellent place for education, and the Manipur youth could stay in free hostels and continue their education in the diocesan and religious educational institutions in Bengaluru.
Additionally, the archbishop expressed the archdiocese's willingness to care for the displaced people of Manipur.
On May 3, various tribal groups in Manipur held a peaceful rally to protest the government's decision to grant Scheduled Tribe status to the majority Meithei tribe.
Almost 100 people were killed, thousands were displaced, and hundreds of churches belonging to different denominations were burned last month when the Meithei people attacked a tribal rally.
The government has imposed prohibitory orders and blocked internet services to curb violence.
Jesuit Father James Beipei, a native of Manipur living in the city, said, "Manipur young people were brought to Bengaluru, the capital of the southern Indian state of Karnataka."
As a result of the social situation in Manipur's Christian-populated districts, he took the initiative to bring the students to Bengaluru.
The Jesuit priest relocated young people to Bengaluru, where he said they would be safer because of violent mob attacks on places of worship, institutions, and houses.
The priest thanked Archbishop Machado for welcoming the students and providing shelter, education, and assistance.
According to Luni, a young woman from Manipur working in Bangalore, the state had not experienced such civil conflict before, and she expressed relief and safety since arriving in Bengaluru.
As a result of the governor's visit to his village, where his parents continue to live in fear, Kennedy, a displaced student, thanked the archbishop for his help, calling him a father figure.- With inputs from Matters India
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