Our Special Correspondent
TURA:
The Catholic church in Garo Hills has apprised Union Minister of State for Minority Affairs John Barla that the church is concerned over the attacks on churches and Christians in other states and urged authorities to urgently look into the matter.
The Union minister for Minority Affairs was in Garo Hills for a three-day visit and inspection of central projects.
On January 7, Barla paid a courtesy visit to Tura Bishop House where he met with Auxiliary Bishop CJ Jose and discussed a wide range of issues.
Though the minister, a catholic himself, highlighted the immense contributions of the church in the field of healthcare, social service and education, even going to the extent of highlighting the efforts of the central government for the welfare of minorities, it was the recent attacks on Christians and churches in the state of Chhattisgarh that turned out to be the all important topic of the discussions.
“I expressed concern about the attack against the church in Narayanpur in Chhattisgarh state and a top secret police officer’s letter seeking information on churches in Assam. The church has always been neutral and the attacks are worrisome,” said Bishop Jose while speaking to The Meghalayan.
He further raised the issue of some states putting in place an anti-conversion law which appeared to be aimed at the minorities, particularly the churches.
Barla has assured the church that the matter would be looked into and revealed that he is visiting Chhattisgarh, after his Garo Hills trip, to find out about the attack on a church and the treatment of minorities.
It is worth mentioning that an armed mob attacked the Catholic church at Narayanpur recently, ransacking the premises and destroying the venerated statues of Christ and Mother Mary.
Fringe elements are believed to be behind the attack in Chhattisgarh which has shocked the Christian community in the country and society as a whole. The most recent case has been the desecration of grave stones and crosses in the oldest Christian cemetery at St Michael’s church in Mumbai that occurred less than three days ago.