Author:
Publication: Organiser
Date: February 15, 2009
URL: http://www.organiser.org/dynamic/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=277&page=8
According to the complaints of Hindu Nagas,
the Christian missionaries from Tamenlong in Manipur in collusion with their
Barak Valley activists have been converting the Hindus of Ujan Tarapur through
allurements and threats.
SILCHAR: Christian missionaries preach many
things and quote the Bible in particular to say, "We do not hurt other
denominations." And behind the facade of this Biblical adherence lies
the ugly face of their activities to take resort to illegal and fraud for
conversion of the innocent and simple minded people by force, inducement and
questionable means. It is now more than clear that it is these missionaries
who create conflict and stoke the flame of religious bigotry and communal
passion. Glaring example is Kandhamal.Laxamananda Saraswati was murdered because
he had become a formidable force in the area against forced conversion of
Hindus. His popularity and following in the area was rapidly increasing, scaring
the Christian zealots.
The pseudo secularists and the media of that
mindset blamed the VHP and the Bajrang Dal for the Kandhamal situation without
making any ground study. Let them come to Barak Valley of Assam and have independent
and objective look at the nefarious and provocative designs of the missionaries
to convert the Hindus.
Christian missionaries as a part of their
proselytisation drive after abortive attempts at conversion have again targeted
the Hindu Rongmei Naga inhabited village of Ujan Tarapur, near Banskandi.
Under the guidance of their pastor they attacked the temple of Goddess Kali
and set the idol on fire, besides causing extensive damage to the temple.
On the basis of the complaint lodged with
the Lakhipur police station by the Rongmeis, the police took prompt action
and arrested Thuirangdin Rongmei (47), Pawhailung Rongmei (63) and Alum Rongmei
(35). Thuirangdin is from the Tamenlong district of Manipur while two others
are from Barak Valley of Assam. Another missionary involved in the crime identified
as Miuri Rongmei is absconding.
Additional SP of Cachar Pradip Ranjan Kar,
officer in-charge of Lakhipur Seva Singh and magistrate Ranjit Kumar Laskar
rushed to the spot on receipt of information and arrested the missionaries
who were produced before the Chief Judicial Magistrate Court at Silchar. These
missionaries have been chargesheeted under sections 120(B), 153(A), 295(A)
of 427/435/34 IPC.
According to the complaints of Hindu Nagas,
the Christian missionaries from Tamenlong in Manipur in collusion with their
Barak Valley activists have been converting the Hindus of Ujan Tarapur through
allurements and even by threats. Zeliangrong Haraku Association (ZHA), an
organisation of Naga Tribes-Zeme, Rongmei and Liyangmei-has taken serious
exception to the decision of the Myanmar Mission of the Council of Nagaland
Baptist Churches (CNBC) to evangelise the Nagas.
The Council at its last annual meeting held
at Paren in Nagaland has adopted a resolution to conduct evangelisation programme.
The resolution calls upon the Baptist churches to take positive steps in this
regard.
Quite intriguing is the use of code and the
organised efforts of the Baptist churches to work for the realisation of Myanmar
mission. Details of this mission are not known. The CNBC has reiterated to
"uphold this mission project in every possible way as a joint ministry
in the world evangelisation mission."
Gaifui Rongmei, Pinsingpoi Rongmei and Chinkudai
Rongmei of Ujan Tarapur had complained earlier that "this proselytisation
drive is not new." Three missionaries have been frequenting their areas
and forcing them to embrace Christianity. This process started in 1996 when
copies of Bible were distributed among the 50 odd families of the village.
Following year their visit was with questionnaires to all of them and particularly
on the essence of the Bible and what they have learnt about Jesus Christ and
Christianity.
Panicked villagers met Kalyan Ashram members
who immediately took up the matter with the then deputy commissioner, Pawan
Kumar Borthakur and SP Jeevan Singh as well as the subsidiary intelligence
bureau officials. The villagers said the missionaries abused their gods and
goddesses and advised them not to offer worship at their apoo ragwang (Shiva)
and paimadiliu (Kali) temples. They also alleged that the missionaries not
only resorted to coercive methods but also extorted money from 43 families.
ZHA in a statement at Haflong while advising
the Zeliangrongs to preserve their tradition, culture and heritage has cautioned
the missionaries against conversion for such a process would only create tension
and conflict, fraught with disastrous consequences.
