Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Guwahati (Fides Service) - The Catholic Archbishop of Guwahati in Assam state is fully committed to keeping peace and preventing any return of indiscriminate violence in north eastern India. Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil, is presently mediating reconciliation with the collaboration of eminent Hindu leaders.
There is tension and unrest in the state of Nagaland after 56 persons were killed and wounded at least 100 in a series of bomb blasts at the week end. Police are investigating secessionist groups which have claimed independence from New Delhi for some years. An explosion at Kokrajhar, in Assam was reportedly caused by tribal groups.
In the state of Nagaland separatists have been active since the state was created following India’s independence from Gt. Britain. Despite a cease fire agreement reached between rebels and army seven years ago the situation is not peaceful.
The nearby state of Assam is a also in a situation of tension, mainly because of ethnic with disputes for political, economic or territorial reasons. Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil of Guwahati aims to build a network of contact with religious and tribal leaders to strengthen efforts for peace. In this endeavour he has won the support of eminent Hindu leader Pitamnbar Dev Goswami.
The Archbishop is not new to efforts for negotiation. In March Archbishop Menamparampil succeeded in bringing Karbi and Kuki, groups to reconcile and sign a cease fire for the whole of the Anglong region, suffering from violence with many civilians dead, villages and harvest torched and masses of homeless people.
A personality fully committed in the field of justice and peace, esteemed and appreciated as a neutral and objective man with an ability for mediating in conflicts, the Archbishop is promoting a common strategy to stop the ethnic violence which has plagued in north eastern India for a long time, particularly in the states of Assam, Nagaland, Manipur and Meghalaya, where 300 communities of different ethnic origin struggle daily unemployment, poverty amidst violence.
According to the Archbishop the strategy will follow four paths: put the work of religious leaders and their authority in the field as a resource for peace; convince intellectuals, many of whom fan the fires of conflict with ideological positions, to support the peace cause; use the positive dynamism of youth to promote cultural exchange and initiatives of reconciliation; obtain support of civil authorities, groups, trade unions, movements, associations and organisations. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 4/10/2004 lines 37 words 388)
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