Shillong, April 11: Deputy Chief Minister Prestone Tynsong said there was no physical assault of the church leaders pastor RG Laloo and elder T Nongkhlaw in Bihar.
Tynsong called an emergency press conference on Tuesday evening to clarify about social media posts that highlighted physical assault of the Presbyterian Church leaders in Bihar.
There was only an altercation after the church leaders went on a mission field visit..
East Khasi Hills SP Sylvester Nongtnger informed that on receiving information, the Senior Superintendent of Police, Patna and the Superintendent of Police (City) East Patna were contacted by East Khasi Hills Police and the Director General of Police, Meghalaya where it was gathered that around 1.30 pm on Tuesday rumours had spread of some conversion going on in a house after which people had gheraoed it leading to an altercation and manhandling of the occupants present there.
He said that the police from Alamganj PS arrived there to contain the situation and escorted the two people to the thana for safe protection.
“Bihar Police had been communicated to give all the security and protection for their onward journey to Shillong and have escorted them to the airplane,” the SP said.
Legal action has been taken by Bihar Police against the miscreants, he said.
Mahila Cong condemns incident
The Meghalaya Pradesh Mahila Congress has condemned the irresponsible behaviour of the Bajrang Dal in Bihar who harassed two church leaders of the Presbyterian Church Rev. R.G. Laloo and a church elder T. Nongkhlaw while on a tour to Bihar. “The mindset of such elements reminds us that these goons continue to harass minorities in the name of religious conversion while the actual fact is their modus operandi to subdue Christians and other minorities with false and baseless charges. The state Mahila president Joplin Shylla has called upon the state government led by the NPP which is an ally of the BJP to sort out the issue and bring the culprits to book as per relevant sections of the law.
KJCLF concerned
The Khasi Jaintia Church Leaders’ Forum (KJCLF) expressed concern about the situation in Bihar.
“We initiated prayers and intercessions for their welfare and safety and are thankful that no harm has befallen on them as we also received information that they are returning home,” secretary of the Forum Rev Dr Edwin H Kharkongor said in a statement here.
He said the KJCLF denounces the perpetration of violence against the Christian mission workers, and expresses its appreciation to those responsible in the administration of both the states for the efficient communication between them and sorting the situation out in proper manner.
The Forum also appealed to social media users to restrain from spreading news which have the propensity to provoke unwanted reactions.
Moreover, in supporting the work and services of churches and Christian mission organisations, the Forum also called on all concerned to be aware of local prevailing situations while fulfilling their mission work in other parts of the country.
When two days ago the Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited a Christian place of worship on Easter Sunday the Forum appealed to those in authority in the country to see that peace and harmony prevails in society.
