SHILLONG: The growing instances of cult worship in Garo Hills was termed as a matter of grave concern by Social Welfare Minister, Deborah Marak who asserted that the abnormal practice should be put to rest before it spreads further.
Speaking to reporters here on Monday Marak said, “We have to stop it… the government will provide all the help to the district administration, police or any church to stop the practice of satan worship.”
Instances of satan worship have been reported from different parts of Garo Hills including Tura, Baghmara and Williamnagar.
Unidentified miscreants recently trespassed into a graveyard at Dakopgre and vandalized the crosses on four graves in Tura. Police also arrested five persons from a locality in Tura on Saturday for alleged satan worship.
According to Marak, churches are providing counseling to the youths and meetings are also being held in all the villages of Garo Hills to get rid of the menace of ‘devil worship’.
FKJGP asks parents to regulate children’s internet habits
The FKJGP Nongthymmai Circle has also expressed concern over reports of youths in the area being drawn towards satanic worship.
In a statement issued here on Monday, president of the FKJGP Nongthymmai Circle Wankmenlang Tariang said that a holistic approach is required to arrest the growing trend of cult worship.
“Since ideas or beliefs in the occult originate mainly from the internet and since children’s minds are always drawn towards the supernatural and mystical powers, it is the duty of the parents and teachers to monitor children’s activities in the internet,” he said while appealing district administration to take stern action against the perpetrators of such acts.
“Most of these practices are linked with substance abuse, which often lead to depression, self inflicting wounds, suicidal tendency etc.,” the statement added.
The FKJGP Nongthymmai circle also appealed to the concerned parents to approach the organisation which can offer professional and spiritual counselling to the youths.
The FKJGP statement comes a day after the East Khasi Hills Deputy Commissioner took note of reports of children being attracted towards a cult bordering on devil worship in the city.