28 Assam Rifles accused of occupying church in Mekokla

Dimapur, October 25 : One of the frontal church organisations of the Lotha community, the Lotha Baptist Ekhümkho Sanrhyutsü (LBES) has reported that personnel of the 28 Assam Rifles allegedly occupied a church in Mekokla Baptist Church, under Wokha district, by force on October 22.

The church issued a press release on Tuesday decrying the alleged violation of religious sanctity of worship places.

“It may be recalled that on 22nd October when pastor of Mekokla Baptist Church was informed of the presence of the Indian army in the vicinity of the church, he went to enquire. But before he reached the church, the army were already camped in the Bell Shape of the church and the church guest house without permission from the pastor or any church officials,” the organization stated.
When the pastor tried to reason with the commander in charge of the personnel, the officer allegedly retorted that ‘the area being within his jurisdiction, he was at liberty to take any decision without anybody’s permission or in consultation with anybody.’

In spite of strong protest by the pastor and church officials, the press release stated, the 28 Assam Rifles, stated to have been led by the post commander of ‘Doyang outpost,’ forcibly occupied the church as well as the church’s guest house.

“In the meantime, the village administration intervened and offered them the community hall of the village to be made their overnight camp but they refused,” the LBES stated.

The Lotha Baptist Churches Association has called upon citizens to raise voice against the outrage.

The organization has also asked the district administration and the police to take up the matter with the Indian army so that no such forcible occupation of any place of worship of any religion takes place in the future.

“This is nothing but an attempt on the part of the Indian army, to disrupt the sanctity of the place of worship which can never be accepted by any religion, be it Christian, Hindus, Muslims or others,” the press release stated.

“It is also an ‘act of cowardice’ on the part of the Indian army to utilize the religious places as their shelters, which is too obvious of their belief that being sheltered in any place of worship they will be spared? They will be saved? Their wishes will be granted? They will be granted some supernatural power to carry out and exercise their sinister design?” the LBES stated, adding ‘whoever they may be, they will only invite the wrath of God.’