Dimapur, May 9 (MExN): The Catholic community of the southern Angamis, in the face of what it stated was continued threats, has decided to reconstruct on May 13 the Catholic Church at Kezo town which was demolished allegedly by a group of people led by the Kezo Town Council Chairman. The step for reconstruction was resolved while making clear that the community would not be held responsible for any eventuality arising from any undue deterrence or obstruction from any sections, according to a memorandum submitted to the Deputy Commissioner Kohima by the Southern Angami Catholic Union, Jakhama (SACU).
Rehashing the events preceding the demolition of the Catholic Church at Kezo and the following events, “The catholic community of the Southern Angami area has resolved to reconstruct the Catholic Church at Kezo Town on the 13th of May, 2006. Henceforth, if any obstruction is caused, the Catholic community should not be held responsible for any eventuality in this respect” the memorandum issued by Saku Francis Xavier and Selie Simon, the union’s president and secretary respectively, warned. According to the union, a group of people led by the Chairman of Kezo Town Council physically obstructed the inauguration of the church on February 26 and served an ultimatum that the church be dismantled on or before March 15 or face consequences.
Later on March 16 the Chairman locked up the church. The Kezoma Village Council taking cognizance of the action, served a notice to the Town Council on April 1 decreeing that there should not be any restrictions on practice of any religion within Kezo town parameters. However, despite the notice the Kezo Town Council Chairman along with a group of “comrades” demolished the church the very next day itself at around 5:30 pm. On April 3 EAC Kezocha reportedly visited the town and summoned a meeting where the Chairman was interrogated in the presence of the public and asked to produce justification of his actions within seven days. Following which on April 10 a resolution was signed at the office of the SDO(C) Jakhama. Notwithstanding, the SACU stated that the perpetrators are still persisting with their threats for demolition.
In the light of this facts, the SACU emphasizing on the secular character of the state laid down in the constitution as well as directed in the Indian Penal Code where the right to freedom of religion is protected, expressed anguish over the action of the perpetrators as well as “the inactiveness of the very office of the EAC Kezocha; the administration who are responsible for maintaining law and order, has failed to do justice to the Catholic community.” The union also expressed discontentment at the April 10 resolution passed in the presence of the SDO (C) and SAPO, Kezo Town Council Chairman but without the presence of the aggrieved community which, it stated, tantamount to violation of the principle of natural justice.
“The resolution dated April 10 quotes another resolution namely January 1, 1968 as basis of perpetration. We the SACU demand that this quoted resolution be investigated into in the light of the constitution of India. That the state authorities should follow the principles laid down in the constitution without any deviation and if any individuals lay down any resolution against it, the same should be squashed and issue orders to the effect that no village council or any authority should ban the establishment or setting up a place of worship” the union made clear warning against any interference in its resolve to rebuilt demolished Kezo Catholic Church.
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