DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 25 (MExN): The Lotha Baptist Churches Association (LBCA) has registered strong protest against the action of the Assam Rifles, who it alleged are in the habit of using religious institutions and churches as their “safe haven” while launching any kind of military operation.
The latest incident occurred on October 22, 2016 when troops of 28th Assam Rifles reportedly occupied Mekokla Baptist Church and the church guesthouse without seeking permission from the concerned pastor or church officials, informed a statement issued by the LBCA.
When the pastor protested and tried to reason with the commander-in-charge, the commander reportedly retorted that the “area being under his jurisdiction, he was at liberty to take any decision without anybody’s permission or consultation with anybody,” the statement added. It further said that despite strong protest by the pastor and the church officials, the 28th Assam Rifles led by the post commander of Doyang outpost “forcibly occupied” the church as well as the church guesthouse, the press release stated. Even the intervention of the village administration who offered the AR troops the village community hall to be made their overnight camp was refused, the LBCA added.
“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 …,” it maintained.
While condemning the action, the LBCA has called upon all right thinking citizens, all Christians and all religions to come forward and raise their voices against the forcible occupation of the “place of worship, which is considered as the most sacred place by all religion.”
The LBCA has also urged the district administration and the police to take up the matter with the security forces so that no such forcible occupation of any ‘place of worship’ of any religion takes place in the days to come.
