Wokha, October 29 (MExN): The Mekokla Students' Union (MSU) today condemned the “forceful occupation” of Mekokla Baptist Church by 28 Assam Rifles on the night of October 22.
A press statement from MSU president, Benrithung Kikon and general secretary, Zirenthung Yanthan alleged that “instead of an accommodation being offered and repeated opposition by both the pastor and village council, the commander in charge replied, saying that it is under his jurisdiction and has the right to do whatever he wishes and occupied the Church forcefully.” Terming the act an insult to the Nagas (as Nagas are mostly Christians) and the Christian nations, the students’ union asserted that “Church, Mandir or Mosque are places of worship and honouring God, not a place for warfare strategy.”
The MSU further called the Assam Rifles “indiscipline soldiers” as “they keep hurting the sentiments of the Nagas and violate our rights through the unlawful acts which are totally undemocratic.” It reiterated that using a church as a strategy for warfare shows the “cowardice” of the Assam Rifles.
“Let us not go back to the past atrocities committed by the Indian soldiers and repeat the same in this present scenario as the wounds are still yet to be healed,” MSU appealed.
Meanwhile, it urged the higher authority of Assam Rifles to restrain from such “barbaric and unwanted act in our land.” Stating that everyone should respect the terms of democracy and human rights, it also appealed to all right thinking Naga people to condemn such act and behaviour towards a Christian church.
