Arson of Sipongsang Baptist Church cabin in Tuensang suspected

DIMAPUR — A month since the suspected arson of the recreational cabin belonging to Sipongsang Baptist Church in Tuensang on December 3, those responsible for the alleged act of vandalism are still at large.

As per a source from the village, on December 11, the community wrote to the district SP following the incident that occurred at around 7.30 pm on December 3.

Initially, the source, a leader of the community, recounted that the villagers assumed that the smoke was just from household burning, but the next day they discovered the cabin burnt to ashes and nearby structures were also damaged by unidentified miscreants.

The fire had also damaged nearby structures, including an observatory that forms part of the tourist spot.

With no update even after a month, the community leader stated that the vandalism appears intentional, given the surrounding damage, but they are holding off on comments due to lack of proof.

The arson site remains untouched, with no construction underway, as the perpetrators are still on the loose.

It may be noted that following the incident, on December 11, the church, through a press statement, stated that the site holds deep cultural and spiritual importance for the Chang community, particularly the steel cross erected in memory of the CBYE Convention of 1971.

It stated that the destruction of the cabin and surrounding area has caused “deep anguish” among its members and urged authorities to treat the incident with seriousness.

It had also appealed to the superintendent of police, Tuensang, to initiate a thorough investigation and take necessary steps to bring those responsible to justice.