Dimapur, July 20 (MExN): A wounded Catholic community today appealed to the Governor of Nagaland to intervene and assert and protect the Fundamental Right of Right to Religion and faith. The Catholic Association of Nagaland expressed hurt over the July 9 dismantling of a Catholic church in Anatongre village under Kiphire district sanctioned by what was stated to be extra-constitutional exercise of power by a village, local body.
The church was dismantled following “resolutions” undertaken by the village’s council that allowed only the Baptist denomination and none else. The association today listed out the “resolutions” of the “citizen union and students’ union of Anatongre village” stated to have been adopted on March 18, 2010. They were that only Baptist Christian denomination would be allowed in the village; Rs 50,000 would be fined on those ‘who bring other religion/denomination’ to the village; defaulters’ moveable and immovable properties would be seized and defaulters expelled from the village. The Catholic association reminded that the “resolutions” of the village are a direct violation of the Fundamental Right of Religion and also against basic Naga ethos.
The Catholic Associations of Nagaland strongly appealed to Governor of Nagaland Nikhil Kumar to urgently intervene and ‘protect the fundamental right of religion’ in the state. A delegation of the association met the governor and submitted a memorandum and apprised him of the incident. Raising serious concern over the issue, the association said that on various counts in Anatongre village, those who opted to follow Catholicism were forcibly prevented from practicing their chosen faith.
The association said “resolutions” such as the one taken by Anatongre village goes against the spirit of the Preamble of the Indian constitution and a direct infringement of an individual’s fundamental rights. The Catholic organization questioned the extra-constitutional exercise of power by Anatongre village authorities; village councils are primarily government agencies to look after the welfare of a village. They should not overstep jurisdiction by infringing the Fundamental Rights of citizens, the association reminded.
The association also said that the Catholic community of Kiphire had submitted a reminder to the Deputy Commissioner of Kiphire, on May 12, 2010 asking him to take preventive measures. In spite of the reminder, the district administration failed to act on the request. This led to the unfortunate incident at Anatongre, the association said.
The memorandum also highlighted similar violations meted out to the Catholic community in the state. The association also appealed to the governor to ensure that such incidents do not happen in the future. Later, the delegation met the Commissioner of Nagaland Banuo Z Jamir and apprised her of the matter. The delegation will be meeting Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio, Nagaland Legislative Assembly Speaker Kiyanielie and Home Minister Imkong L Imchen on the issue.
