Dimapur, June 9 (MExN): The Janjati Dharma Saskriti Suraksha Manch (Janjati Faith & Culture Protection Forum) based in Guwahati has written to the Prime Minister of India Dr. Manmohan Singh on June 8 regarding the forceful religious conversion of Buddhists into Christianity in Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh by armed cadres of National Socialist Council of Nagalim- Isak Muivah (NSCN-IM).
The JDSSM alleged that one Lingam Hakum Naga alias Lamba Chool Wala claims himself as area commander of NSCN-IM. He moves freely with sophisticated weapons along with another 24 armed cadres in the various remote villages of Tikhak community in the area. On May 13, 2010 he called a meeting of all villagers including Gaon Burahs and Jila Parishad members (GBs/JPMs) from the villages viz Putuk I, Putuk II, Putuk III, Putuk IV, Wangnong, Motongsa, Longchang, Wintong, Rima, Machum and other nearby villages.
In a statement, the JDSSM said that the NSCN-IM commander displayed AK-47 assault rifles and condemned Buddha Dharma and preached on Christianity. The Buddhist villagers were astonished to hear the Christian preaching from the mouth of a so called area commander of dreaded militant organization NSCN-IM, the statement added. He also cautioned that no Buddhist would celebrate Buddha Poornima festival on May 27, all of them must convert to Christianity by May 31 and anybody found opposing Christian conversion would face dire consequences. In all these incidents, the hostile role of Catholic priests stationed at Miao Bishop’s House is also reported. The people of the area talk of a secret nexus between Church and NSCN-IM.
Because of the free movement of armed cadres of NSCN-IM with Bible in one hand and AK-47 in the other, the unarmed hapless innocent Buddhist villagers are panicked and living under the shadow of the threat to their life and property, the JDSSM further stated.
The movement of armed cadres of NSCN-IM is also reported in other areas of Changlang and Tirap districts of Arunachal Pradesh, the statement reported. It further requests the PM to do the needful at the earliest to restore the peace and normalcy in the area and punish the culprits.
