Dimapur, March 14 (MExN): The Global Naga Forum (GNF) has strongly condemned the alleged raid conducted by security forces at Samziuram Baptist Church, terming it as a violation of the sanctity of a religious place and the fundamental rights of the community.
In a statement issued on Saturday, the GNF said that the raid took place on March 9 and alleged that the personnel the personnel not only entered the church premises but also intruded into the residence of the Pastor late at night.
It further expressed particular concern over the emergence of a “No Objection/Claim/Harassment Certificate,” reportedly signed by the Samziuram Church Pastor and the Village Council Chairman, stating, “no harassment took place.”
“If there is no sinister design behind the operation, the issuance of such a ready-made document raises serious questions. It is widely known that during search operations security forces often obtain ‘No Objection’ signatures under difficult circumstances,” the GNF stated.
It argued that the existence of such a certificate suggests a search was carried out within the church, raising concerns about the respect for places of worship.
It cautioned that the incident has caused fear and distress among church leaders and their families, further eroding public trust between the Naga people and the security forces operating in the region.
The GNF asserted that the intrusion raises serious concerns regarding the protection of fundamental rights guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India, as well as internationally accepted human rights principles regarding freedom of religion.
The Assam Rifles, which has long projected itself as the “Friends of the Hill People,” the GNF stated that incidents such as this stand “in stark contradiction” to that claim.
“Across civilizations and cultures, sacred spaces command universal respect, and even the authority of the state is expected to observe that boundary,” GNF stated.
The forum stated that the events at Samziuram cannot be dismissed as a mere operational lapse or the result of “misinformation” and that it would “place this case, along with other documented incidents affecting the rights of the Naga people, before the appropriate constitutional and international human rights mechanisms for scrutiny and accountability.”
.jpg)
