MSFS GUWAHATI PROVINCE

St Francis de Sales Parish: Amarpur

Amarpur parish is situated in the Burburia / Gamakubaria area near the Garjangkhola village 86 km away from Agartala town. It was erected on November 16, 2014, and was entrusted to the MSFS Congregation by Most Rev. Lumen Montero, Bishop of Agartala with Fr Pratap Kerketta as its first Parish Priest. It is the third mission and the second parish entrusted to the MSFS.

The parish has a total of 18 villages of which 14 have catholic faithful, namely Raibahadur, Kalamati, Tiyari, Muibua, Burburia, Gamakubari, Kachima, Devbari, Yaphro, Tingoria, Mandwi, Chechua, Nograi and Bongshikami. The other four villages are Satakarapara, Garjangkhola, Koroimura and Malbasa. These villages are inhabited mainly by the tribal people and are situated on hillocks located in the interiors of the district. Lack of proper road connectivity, poor educational and health facilities are common characteristics to all. On an average, these villages are 140 km away from Agartala.

Demographically, there are 3360 families with a population of 13,546 (male - 6683 and female- 6866). Of these, 165 are catholic families spread across the 18 villages with a total of 703 members. The tribal people belonging to Reang tribe speak Reang dialects while Jamatias and Debbrmas use Kokborok language. The non-tribal Bangla people speak Bangla and are traditional Hindus. Majority of the people are agriculturists while some live from the income gained from the daily labour, selling fire wood, and bamboo etc. The farmers have ‘Jhum’ (Shifting) cultivation and rubber plantations. The presbytery was blessed on December 22, 2016 by Most Rev. Lumen Monteiro, Bishop of Agartala and inaugurated by Fr George Panthanmackel, the then Provincial of  North East India Province.

The Sisters of the Destitute (SD)

The Sisters of the Destitute assist the centre in the educational, pastoral, medical and social ministry.