Hailed as an ‘apostle of peace’, Archbishop Thomas said, “It is not easy to describe what I am doing. I have visited Manipur already twice, spending three days each. I have been to the Kuki areas of Churachandpur and Kangpokpi, meeting with people in the relief camps. I have also been to the Meitei areas, meeting with their leaders.”

Explaining his peace mission operating style, the 87-year-old prelate said, “I have approached leaders on both sides pleading for peace. Largely I have concentrated on meeting senior persons in society, retired officers, ministers, and intellectuals of moral authority over their community. I met religious leaders on both sides.”

A tangible sign of his mission bearing fruit was on June 5 meeting of religious leaders calling for peace. On June 5, Archbishop Thomas was a signatory to Interfaith Appeal for calm and ending violence, along with 18 Religious leaders of different religions and faith traditions.

Preparing for a third solo visit, the veteran harbinger of peace said, “This effort has to continue.” “At the moment, emotions run high as young men continue to wreak violence,” laments the prelate.

Commenting on the scale of violence Bishop Thomas said, “Armed young men make their decisions. It is hard for even seniors to convince the young. Loss of lives has been higher than quoted.”

With a sigh, Bishop said, “No easy solutions… Serious questions remain about the strategies of political leadership at the state and central level.” Ethnic conflict between predominantly Hindu Meitei community and tribal Christians has claimed some 100 lives and hundreds of damaged homes and burning of 142 villages, 400 plus churches, and 83 church institutions. More than 40,000 people from different communities are sheltered in 272 relief camps, including community halls, in 13 districts of Manipur.

Archbishop Thomas has taken his peace mission to the ethnic hotspots of northeastern India for the past 40 years. His analysis of sociocultural and political issues has triggered numerous debates and concrete peace initiatives for which he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2011.