Plastic bottles filled with petrol found inside the Church in Kinunger village under Mokokchung district after attempts were made by unidentified person (s) to burn the religious building down. (Photo Source: WhatsApp)
Morung Express News
Dimapur | May 4
In a case related to vandalism, unknown persons destroyed two houses, a granary and attempted to burn down the main church building at Kinunger village under Mokokchung district on the morning of May 3. The village is around 20 kilometers from Mokokchung town.
According to sources, the fire broke out at around 2AM in the morning of May 3 after two abandoned houses were set on fire. The villagers along with the help of fire tenders attempted to douse the inferno, which could be brought under control only after two houses and a nearby granary were razed to the ground. Fortunately, none of the houses had occupants in it.
Afterwards at around 9 AM, the villagers heard report that smoke was emanating from the main church building. Looking inside the church, the villagers found that a fire had broken out as well. Luckily the villagers were able to control the fire on time before it set fire to the entire structure.
Plastic bottles filled with petrol were found afterwards inside the church, prompting them to suspect it as an act of vandalism, the source further stated.
Moreover, it was made known that prior to the incident; the village was expected to hold a Church revival. Meanwhile, the source further revealed that a person has been arrested in this connection. However, this could not be independently verified at the time of filing this report.
Dy CM condemns
Meanwhile, Nagaland Deputy Chief Minister and BJP Leader, Y Patton has expressed shock and condemned in the strongest term on the attempt to burn down a Church at Kinunger village, under Mokokchung District on May 3.
“Attempting to burn down a Church is never expected and never heard of in the state of Nagaland for Christ,” the Dy CM stated in a statement. He termed the act as “outrageous and numbing” and against the very tenet of Christian beliefs.
Those perpetrators trying to create fear psychosis among the people and disturb the peace of the land shall be punished, whatever their purpose or reasons maybe, he added. The Dy CM also directed the concerned investigating officer (s) to thoroughly probe the case and unearth the truth while adding that those found guilty will be awarded befitting punishment in accordance with the law of the land.
