Assam: Amid election wave, police conduct survey on churches in Karbi Anglong

GUWAHATI: Amid the wave of Lok Sabha elections across the country, police are conducting a church survey in Assam’s Karbi Anglong district.

“Police are entering into church premises seeking information on various activities of the churches,” alleged United Christian Forum (UCF), Karbi Anglong.

Church leaders are asked to furnish the list of churches in rural areas, names, and addresses of persons associated, and the number of persons who accepted water baptism.

In a memorandum to Karbi Anglong district commissioner Madhumita Bhagawati in Diphu, the UCF said: “The random collection of data on churches and its adherents has been going on by persons in uniform since last week. Churches in the Diphu town area under the Diphu police station and areas under the Dokmoka police station witnessed police personnel in uniform barging into church premises and taking photos and asking questions on the church without prior intimation and official instruction in causing panic among believers.”

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However, Karbi Anglong superintendent of police Sanjeev Kumar Saaikia denied such charges saying it’s a misinterpretation of truth.

“We are working on a complaint lodged by Christian Education Trust that the Christian institutions are under threat. Such a complaint was lodged before the DGP sir and under his direction we are cooperating with the church leaders to ensure their security,” Saikia said.

“This survey is only to ensure the security and safety of the Christian institutions and not for other purposes” the SP added.

However, Assam Christian Forum (ACF) spokesperson Allen Brooks does not want to accept the SP’s version and said that the complaint was lodged by the Christian Education Trust against a certain person Satya Ranjan Bora, president, Kutumba Suraksha Parishad, who had demanded the removal of Christian symbols from missionary schools and asked the Christian Fathers and sister to wear normal dresses. “But instead of booking the culprits, the police are entering churches for collection of data. Our petition was for the safety and security of missionary schools, but they are surveying churches, not schools,” Brooks said.

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On December 16, 2022, the Special Branch of the Assam Police passed a circular to all officers in charge of police stations to survey churches of various denominations across the state.

However, on December 22, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma publicly disassociated himself from the circular and any authority given for it. 

Again on May 29, 2023, the Special Branch passed another circular for the survey of churches across the state. 

On June 7, 2023, the additional DG of the Special Branch clarified before a delegation of Assam Christian Forum (ACF) that it was inadvertently made and assured the delegation that such a nature would not happen without prior information and proper official order.

In the memorandum to the DC, the UCF said: “This exercise by any esteemed department such as the police department has caused panic and a fear psychosis to the public. Moreover, holy shrines and worship places are meant for public worship and prayer and its sanctity must be highly honoured by all.”

“Any nature of unwarranted obtrusion without proper official order by an esteemed department has inflicted sentiments upon its adherents. We therefore urge and request your good office to act upon this matter and immediately call off this exercise in the interest of public peace,” the UCF said. 

“We are always ready to comply with you as per the law of the land and enshrined in our constitution for promoting peace and tranquillity in our region,” the UCF added.

The memorandum was signed by UCF, Karbi Anglong president Solomon Rongpi, general secretary Prinings Millick and executive members Ramson Rongpi, Tensou Bey, Abraham Taro, James Rongpi, Reuben Tokbi, Borsing Tisso, Dilip Kathar Janson Bey, Lukee Rongphar and U Athang Seb.