Dimapur, 12 April (MTNews): The Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee (NPCC) on April 12 accused BJP governments in the northeast of destroying churches in the region.
According to an official statement from the communications department of the NPCC, three churches – namely Evangelical Baptist Convention Church, Evangelical Lutheran Church Manipur, and Catholic Holy Spirit Church in Manipur were demolished in the presence of heavy security forces on 11 April. It claimed that one of the churches was constructed in 1974 but the Manipur Chief Minister refused to comment.
The Congress also alleged that a church was destroyed in Assam recently.
However, it observed that no leader raised voice in the Parliament or Assembly. It also alleged that Chief Ministers of Christian-dominated Nagaland, Mizoram, and Meghalaya states also remained silent spectators.
Further, it asked how many churches in the tribal areas have construction permits and whether all the churches that do not have construction permits will be allowed to be destroyed.
Pointing out that the Christian population in Manipur stood at 41 per cent, the Congress alleged that the state government has no respect for its citizens.
“It looks like the BJP has already assessed the weakness of Christian members in the Parliament and state Assemblies,” it added.
According to the Nagaland Congress, remaining in power and in the good books of the BJP government has become “greater than their faith” for the Christian legislators.
“Time has come for the Christians to think deeper than just money and power,” it stressed.
Saying that the issue is now about the survival of faith and identity, the NPCC said that north and west India vote for Hindu nationalism but others vote for their pride and identity.
“Northeast should no longer ignore the threat to our faith and identity,” it cautioned.
