Sipongsang Baptist Church in Tuensang has condemned the suspected arson that destroyed its retreat cabin and damaged a culturally significant steel cross.
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DIMAPUR — Sipongsang Baptist Church in Tuensang has condemned the burning of its recreational cabin—described as a spiritual retreat space—after it was destroyed in a fire on the evening of December 3 in what the church alleges to be a deliberate act of vandalism by unidentified miscreants.
In a condemnation note issued on Thursday, the church stated that the incident occurred at around 7.30 pm when the cabin, located at a local tourist site, was engulfed in flames.
The fire also damaged nearby structures, including an observatory that forms part of the tourist spot.
According to the church, 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.
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The cross—rededicated on December 14, 2019—had long served as a landmark of faith for the community.
Sipongsang Baptist Church 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 appealed to the superintendent of police, Tuensang, to initiate a thorough investigation and take necessary steps to bring those responsible to justice.
It also stressed the need to prevent such acts of desecration against any church, community or institution in the future.