Mawkhar church clarifies on issuance of statement on ‘political interference’

SHILLONG, May 15: The Executive Committee (EC) of the Mawkhar Presbyterian Church on Friday clarified that it had not issued any official press statement alleging political interference in the internal affairs of the church.
In a clarification issued in response to a news report published in The Shillong Times, Mawkhar Presbyterian Church secretary Elder Geraldton Pakma stated that the Church Committee had neither authorised nor released any official statement on the matter.
“We would like to clarify that the Church Committee of the Mawkhar Presbyterian Church had not issued any official press release or statement on this matter,” Pakma said.
However, despite the clarification from the church authorities, sources within the congregation alleged that there was political interference in the ongoing internal dispute and claimed that government machinery was allegedly being used to shield a group accused of attempting to suppress issues relating to the alleged misappropriation of church funds.
According to sources, a delegation from one of the factions had reportedly approached an influential political leader, who is also a former member of the church, seeking political support in the matter.
Presently, the church congregation remains divided into two factions amid allegations involving the misuse of funds reportedly amounting to over Rs 4 crore.
While one faction has been demanding that those allegedly involved in the misuse of funds repay the money, another group is allegedly attempting to downplay or suppress the matter, sources claimed.
The controversy has reportedly created tension within the church community, with members divided over the handling of the alleged financial irregularities.