SHILLONG, Dec 30: The controversy surrounding a “secret” letter forwarded by the Special Branch of Assam Police to all SPs in the districts seeking information on churches and religious conversion in the region, is unlikely to die down any soon with the UDP now terming it as an act meant to intimidate the Christians.
While expressing serious concern over the letter issued by the Assam Police, UDP working president Paul Lyngdoh said, “The state is conducting surveillance against the church and is trying to intimidate the Christians. This is not only uncalled for but also runs contrary to democratic ethos.”
According to him, the state has other more pressing issues such as unemployment and poverty.
It may be mentioned that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) has written to the Embassy of the Holy See of the Vatican in India urging it to take note of the Assam “church survey order”.
The letter written to the Reverend Leopoldo Girelli, Apostolic Nuncio to India by TMC spokesperson Saket Gokhale said the order amounts to “state-sponsored persecution of Christians”.
The party asked the Embassy of the Holy See of the Vatican in India to raise the matter at appropriate diplomatic forums with the Centre.
The Special Branch of Assam Police had reportedly issued a confidential letter asking the SPs in all districts to identify the persons playing a pivotal role in conversion activities and status of police cases, if any, lodged against such persons for forceful religious conversion or by means of inducement.
Details on land allotted for construction of churches in various districts have also been sought.
