Three held, tension high, addl security deployed to prevent further trouble
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 19:
Just one month after Chief Minister O Ibobi personally assured the House (March 18) that necessary protection would be provided to the minority Christians, particularly Meetei and Rongmei Christians, a huge mob vandalised and set afire the Believers Church, Manipur, at Lamding in Thoubal district today at about 5.30 pm.
Ten persons who were at the Church at the time of the incident were injured while three persons suspected to be involved in the attack were picked up by the police.
The three picked up by the police have been identified as Nahakpam Inao (39) of Wangjing Laishram Leikai, Khumanthem Gojao (50) of Wangjing Khumanthem Leikai and Laishram Ibomcha of Wangjing Lamding.
The Church was built recently and on the directive of the Court security was provided to ensure that the construction of the place of worship was carried out without any disturbances.
Police sources said that a huge mob consisting of about 200 people from the locality descended on the Church today at about 5.30 pm and after vandalising some portions set on fire some parts of the Church.
The Church was guarded by unarmed security personnel but they were no match for the 200 strong mob who descended on the Church all of a sudden, said police.
On immediate receipt of the information, Thoubal DC P Vaiphei and SP S Kailun rushed to the spot to take stock of the situation.
Three persons suspected to have been involved in desecrating the Church were picked up by the police later.
A drive has also been launched to round up the others involved in the attack, said police sources.
Security at the area of the Church has been beefed up to neutralise any further eruption of trouble.
Tension is still running high at the surrounding areas.
Speaking to The Sangai Express the Principal of the Training Centre of the Church said that ten people who were at the Church at the time of attack were injured.
Some of the seriously injured people were taken to Thoubal district hospital, said the Principal.
The Court had earlier directed that security be provided for the construction of the Church.
Attacks on minority Christians had rocked the State Assembly recently during the Budget session.
Moving a call attention motion, BJP MLA BD Behring had informed the House on March 18 that Christians were at the receiving ends of the majority Hindu people.
Giving details, the MLA had listed eight instances wherein Christians were attacked for practising their faith.