Wokha, October 31 (MExN): Mekokla Students’ Union (MSU) today urged the Governor of Nagaland to take necessary action against the 28 Assam Rifles for their “forceful occupation” of Mekokla Baptist Church under Wokha district recently. In a letter to the Governor, PB Acharya, MSU president, Benrithung Kikon and general secretary, Zirenthung Yanthan recounted that on October 22 around 8:30 pm, troops of 28 Assam Rifles Bn. in “full combat-mode” occupied the Mekokla Baptist Church and made the church their base-camp to carry out military operation in the area.
“Sensing impropriety of their presence in the Church premises, the Pastor of the Church denied them access, citing that the Church cannot be used for military purpose. However, the commander of the AR troops insisted on camping in the premises, while threatening the Pastor to a certain extent, that, Mekokla village falls under his jurisdiction, so he can do as he likes and his decisions shall be binding on the village,” the letter stated.
“This forceful occupation and arbitrary action of the 28 AR against the wishes of the Pastor and members of the church has deeply hurt the sentiment of the people, as Mekokla Baptist Church, is a sacred place of worship - highly respected and revered by all sections of the society,” added the letter.
The students’ union maintained that the 28 AR’s action was in sheer violation of the various covenants and International Principles of Human Rights and the resolutions and protocols adopted by the United Nations in protecting places of worship and educational institutions for military purpose, as military use of place of worship can put these premises at high risks of vulnerability. It also undermines the secular principles enshrined in the Constitution of India, it added.
The MSU on behalf of the Mekokla people urged the Governor to take necessary action against the 28 AR in accordance with law “as their actions was also in violation of the strictures laid down by the Supreme Court of India.” The MSU also appealed to the Governor to take appropriate measures to deter and curtail military use of place of worship by security forces consistent with UN Security Council Resolutions.
