Attack on Holy Redeemer Parish in Canchipur, Archdiocese of Imphal, Manipur (India) on 03.05.2023.
On 3rd May, 2023 at around 8:30 pm. A group of unidentified miscreants armed with iron bars, woods, stones etc. came to the parish campus and forcefully crashed through the gates of Holy Redeemer Parish, Canchipur, Imphal and ransacked the parish church and the presbytery. There were 3 to 4 police security personnel but they could not control the mob. After smashing the doors, windows and the belongings of the church, the mob set the church on fire. The loss is estimated at about 1.3 crores.
Ransacking of presbytery: At around 10:00pm for the second time a mob once again came and the presbytery of the Parish was broken into and vandalized, shattering windows, furniture, flowerpots, utensils and looting all valuable assets such as computers and electronic devices, cash, gas cylinders, etc.. Private rooms of the priests and the staff were also ransacked and destroyed. The loss is estimated about 28 lakhs.
Auditorium and class rooms: At around 12:30pm a mob gathered again and destroyed the CCTV camera and threatened the staff however, nothing happened to them at this time. Again around 2.30 am, the mob entered the presbytery and took away all the possible things from the staff rooms and presbytery. There after the campus was a thoroughfare for the mob who came several times came to the campus of the parish till the dawn. The miscreants pelted stones at window and broke many of them. The mob also set ablaze the boys hostel for needy students, the worth of which is estimated to be about 50 Lakh. The garage of the Parish and School also was destroyed. The windowpane of the school auditorium and Primary Section of the School were broken and plastic chairs and PA system stolen.
The miscreants also entered the Bethany convent and vandalized it and looted all valuables including the community computer, some cash, and other common home items. The estimated loss incurred in the Holy Redeemer Parish, is about 2 crores.
