MON, NOVEMBER 1 (MExN): Two persons have been sentenced to 2 years rigorous imprisonment for breaking into a church and stealing Rs 2 lakh cash in Mon.
The two persons, identified as Tahsei Konyak and Khamlong Konyak were also fined Rs 1,000. They were convicted of breaking into Sheanghah Wamsa Baptist Church and stealing the cash on July 1 during the late hours of the night. Both the convicts were later arrested on July 3 by the village guards and the stolen money was recovered.
The Court of the Judicial Magistrate, Mon, B Peter Resu, in his judgment observed that cases of theft were quickly mushrooming due to drug addiction; among many other reasons and that the Churches within the district had unfortunately become a soft target for thieves and other criminal looking for a quick buck. This incident is the third one registered this year with regards to church breaking in Mon District.
“Considering the local situation in the district, condoning the delinquent behaviour of the accused persons would only embolden others alike, taking into account the mushrooming cases of theft and house breaking arising in the district. As such, I am disinclined to extend the benefits of probation to the convicted persons,” the order said.
“Taking into account the potentiality of the convicts to become criminals in the future, capacity for their reformation, I am of the opinion that awarding the full sentence mandated by law would not be necessary in the instant case. However, deterrent action and punishment is very essential for the maintenance of law and order in a society,” the court held.
The case was led by Advocate, Yaomila Lotha, Assistant Public Prosecutor, Mon.
