Dimapur, October 27 : Various organisations have denounced the reported occupation of Mekokla Baptist Church building and its guest house in Wokha district by 28 Assam Rifles during October 22-23.
NBCC
The Nagaland Baptist Church Council (NBCC) executive committee, in a press release, on Thursday stated that the Indian security forces that they can no longer ‘behave and create fear’ as the army did during the ‘50s and the ‘60s.
“We condemn the action of the commander and the jawans of the 28th Assam Rifles for forcefully occupying and defiling the sanctity of worship place, the church. Failing to pay due respect to holy / sacred place can never be tolerated by any religion,” the church stated.
The council also noted the reported remarks of the commander of the Doyang outpost to the pastor and village council members that ‘the area was under his jurisdiction’ and that he was ‘at liberty to take any decision without anybody’s permission or consultation with anybody.’ The NBCC cautioned of such attitudes from security personnel who are supposed to safeguard the rights of citizens.
“They cannot behave and create fear as they have done in the 1950s and 60s. India being a secular and democratic country we expect respect and honour for worship places irrespective of religion, from any responsible officer or group. The concern commander and jawans should remember the section 295A of the Indian Penal Code,” the organization stated.
The NBCC’s executive council has urged to the higher authorities “to discipline their officers to avoid brewing up of any communal tension among the different religious group.”
CNTC
The Central Nagaland Tribes Council (CNTC) has also denounced the incident. A note from the organisation on Thursday termed the alleged forceful occupation of the Mekokla Baptist church by the 28th Assam Rifles on October 22 as an act of ‘great disrespect and in total disregard to the religious sentiments of the Naga people and the sanctity of a sacred religious place of the Christians.’
The CNTC organisation has urged the Nagaland government to take the matter up with the Indian army and the ceasefire monitoring board to ensure that such activities do not take place in future ‘at any cost.’
Naga Scholars’ Association
The Naga Scholars’ Association (NSA) has also expressed solidarity with the local people of said village and condemned the reported forceful occupation of the church guest house and its premises by the 28 Assam Rifles.
“What is more condemnable is the statement made by the army commander who stated that since Mekokla falls under his jurisdiction he has the right and authority to do whatever he wishes. This is an alarming statement and calls for deeper introspection by the right thinking citizens of this country,” the organization stated in a press release to the media on Thursday.
“The men in uniform are supposed to protect the sanctity of all religious places. The forceful occupation of church premises has seriously hurt the sentiment of the Naga people once again damaging the image of the Indian Army and Assam Rifles in the region.”
The organization has also called for serious scrutiny from the government of India and the civil society.
“The misguided and insensitive attitude and approach of the Assam Rifle commander is highly questionable and should invite stern enquiry and action,” the association added.
The Nagaland Theological Colleges Association (NTCA) has also denounced the alleged act of the 28th Assam Rifles. A note from the association expressed distress that the Assam Rifles ‘intentionally defiled the sanctity of the church by forcefully occupying Mekokla Baptist and church guest house without seeking permission.’
‘The so called “Friends of the Hills People” have once again demonstrated its true color that they are “Foes of the Hills people,”’ the association stated.
“It also shows that, they have completely misplaced their priority as military personnel by intruding religious institution with ulterior motive. What surprises the NTCA is that, despite offering the community hall for their accommodation by the village leaders, the commander-in-charge refused.”
The organisation reminded that among the Naga people no ‘sensible’ guest would refuse accommodation provided by the host and stay anywhere they like, especially where they are not supposed to lodge.
“And who is this commander-in-charge who said, ‘the area being within his jurisdiction, he was at liberty to take any decision without anybody’s permission or consultation with anybody’? Who granted him authority over the village and particularly the church? Is he a commander-in charge or a ‘communal-in-charge’?”the association queried.
The group reminded the army personnel that said acts were unconstitutional, to intrude or trespass into the place of worship in the name of duty. “Atrocity against others' religion does not do any good to your own religion. It is also too costly to trade your integrity as a soldier by misbehaving because it brings irreparable damage to the image of the Indian army in general who are supposed to be disciplined, respectful, and protectors of the people,” the association stated.
The NTCA has called upon the authorities of the Indian army to take necessary measures ‘so as to avoid this unwanted action on the part of the its personnel of any rank.’
