Persecuted Christian barely escapes violence in Manipur

On May 3, rioting erupted and spread like wildfire in Manipur. To date, 108 villages have been completely destroyed, 200+ churches have been burned down, over 80 lives have been taken (including many Christian tribal citizens) and 66,000 people—mostly Christ followers—have been displaced from their homes. Among those displaced are Rohan, his sister and his mother.

Not having any other option, Rohan and his family took shelter in a relief camp run by the Indian Army. In an attempt to flee the Christian persecution, they stayed there for a week, but then heard of a facility run by Global Christian Relief; GCR’s emergency relief center was taking in those displaced by the unrest. Rohan and his family made the journey to stay in the facility.

Rohan has spent many nights reflecting on the chaos that has overtaken Manipur and all he had to leave behind. For Rohan, he previously had a good job, but now wonders if he’ll ever be able to return:

“I will search for a job here. I don’t know what I will do,” he says. And when asked if he would want to return to his home where the violence occurred, he answers, “Who would want to go back?”

Rohan has been in touch with friends who stayed behind in Manipur. He called one and heard this disturbing update: “The vandalized and deserted homes are all being burnt. The burning has not stopped. It is still happening—every day—even if the media does not let it get public.”

Rohan’s mother has taken the uprooting of her life especially hard. Since escaping Manipur, she has suffered seizures and had to be rushed to the hospital. “She’s been thinking … about what happened and panicked, because of which she now has seizures,” Rohan states. “She started to babble and scream, ‘Someone is chasing me, someone is chasing me,’ and then suddenly had a seizure.”

His mother has since been discharged. Through the generous gifts of our supporters, GCR has been able to come alongside Rohan and his family and cover their hospital bills. “I am so grateful to Global Christian Relief for standing with us at this time of need.”

Rohan has reached out to us with specific prayer requests:

First, to pray the violence in Manipur will end—that God will intercede and stop the rioting.

Second, that his mother will make a complete recovery and overcome her seizures and panic attacks.

Third, that he and his sister will be able to find work outside of Manipur.

And lastly, that God will guide all the displaced families to safety, that they will find peace with all they had to leave behind.

Please join us in praying for Rohan, his family and those countless others affected by this senseless violence in Manipur.

To help us continue to offer aid to families like Rohan’s, consider giving a gift to Global Christian Relief.

*Rohan is pictured above. His name has been changed to preserve his security.