By Lisa Zengarini

As clashes continue in the riot-hit Indian State of Manipur, the Catholic bishops of Northeast India have made a fresh appeal for peace.

Thousands displaced and churches destroyed

In a statement released on 28 May, at the conclusion of an emergency session of the regional conference on the crisis, the bishops urged local communities to work together to find ways of peaceful coexistence and reconciliation to stop the sectarian violence that so far has claimed over 75 lives, displaced more 45,000 people and destroyed over 1,700 houses, churches and other Christian institutions.