ITANAGAR, JUNE 18 : Reiterating its demand to resolve the Tawang church issue, representatives of various denominations of Christian community on Saturday took out peaceful protest rallies in all the district headquarters of the state except few district and at state capital from Akashdeep to IG Park.
The protest rally has been organised as the state government failed to fulfill the demand of Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) to resolve the Tawang church issue, said president ACF Toko Teki.
If the state government fails to pay attention to the demand even after a protest rally then ACF will discuss to take further course of democratic movement and may even knock the door of court, he added.
Vice president ACF Norbu Sonam said, in a democratic country every individual has been given the right to worship or practice one religion and Tawang is an integral part of India then why Christian communities are not being allowed to worship in churches at Tawang.
Citing instances of Hanuman Mandir of Itanagar, Ganga market which located in the middle of the market, Sonam added that as per the Supreme Court’s order Temple, Gompa and Church should not be constructed in public places but in the case of Tawang church issue, it is not located in public places or Children Park. He said.
The issue of giving permission does not arise as we have a temporary church for more than 20 years and people have been using it but the work for permanent construction was opposed and stopped by the administration demanding the land allotment which is lying pending with state government for several years and sought approval of land allotment of the said church. He threatened that the people may lose hope if the popular BJP government led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu does not understand the public demand and specially the Christian community who hold a majority in the state population. He also demanded both the MPs to interfere into the case and sought attention of the government and its leader for a permanent solution without any further delay. Norbu added.
Earlier the ACF nullified the three member’s committee report on the Tawang church issues, citing that the government did not provide them with the full report of the committee.
The state government has only given a few page’s report, which is doubtful in nature itself, proclaimed ACF.
ACF General Secretary Tarh Miri, Finance Secretary Tana Tagi Tara, Rev. Dr. Changha Chipo, APCRCC President Sama Dodum, ABCC President Pema Tseten, NBCC General secretary Tageng Gelo, ACF Women Wing President Nabam Yamang, AGS Nabam NIba Hina among others also address the rally at IG Park.
As per information the sources informed that such protest rally was also organised in several parts of state.
