SHILLONG — Meghalaya Police have registered a case against a man for
allegedly hurting the religious sentiments of people by trespassing inside a
church and shouting 'Jai Shri Ram' at its altar in East Khasi Hills district,
an officer said on Friday.
The man had entered the Mawlynnong village Church on
Thursday and shouted 'Jai Shri Ram' and posted it on social media, the officer
said.
Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad K Sangma has condemned the
act and said administrative legal procedures are on in the matter wherein an
individual targeted to vitiate peaceful coexistence of the people.
"The action seems deliberate. We as a state government
will leave no stone unturned to prevent anyone from creating social, religious,
and communal disharmony. Legal action is on," the CM told PTI.
East Khasi Hills SP Sylvester Nongtynger told PTI, "We
have registered a case at Pynursla police station against a person named Akash
Sagar on Instagram after a complaint was lodged in this regard."
He said an investigation is on and efforts are on to nab the
culprit.
Social activist Angela Rangad filed a police complaint on
Thursday seeking legal action against the person.
"Sagar deliberately and in a premeditated and planned
way trespassed into the altar area and shouted non-Christian songs. This act
was deliberately done to create communal disharmony, insulting the minority
culture in violation of all constitutional rights of religious freedom,"
she said.
The Central Puja Committee, an influential Hindu organisation
in the state, has condemned the act.
"We noted with anguish to see a video circulated on
social media outraging and violating the religious sentiments of everyone in
this peace-loving state. We condemn the activity of this individual and urge
the police to take stringent and exemplary action as per law against this
individual," CPC president Naba Bhattacharjee said.
Meghalaya BJP chief spokesperson M Kharkrang said,
"Appropriate preventive measures must be taken against such brainless
pranks and necessary legal action should be taken to ensure that such a
mischievous deed gets their deserved punishment."
Meghalaya police have asked hotels, homestays and tour
operators to report to the police if they have information about the
whereabouts of Akash Sagar.
