Assam govt begins survey on Churches after violence in Manipur

Guwahati: In the backdrop of clashes between Kuki-Meitei communities in the northeastern state of Manipur, the Assam government has launched a survey on the various denominations of Christian churches in the state.

In a fresh directive to the officer-in-charge of various police stations, the state home department has urgently sought information about the number of churches under their jurisdiction.
“As directed you are requested to provide the list of churches under your respective jurisdiction with the establishment, names and addresses of persons associated with their mobile numbers as per the formats given below. .Your reply should reach this office for positive onward submission on or before May 29. Treat this matter as urgent,” the government order said.
When contacted, a senior police official said, “Such surveys have been conducted by the police before. Mosques were also surveyed. The aim of this survey is welfare. The government is taking welfare measures for churches. Planning is underway, especially for those established earlier this century.
“Religious institutions of all faiths promote human values ​​and lead people to spiritual awakening. The state government is planning to provide financial assistance to churches. Mosques and other religious places of worship are based on reformation of mind and values. To build society,” the official said.
Under the Assam Darshan project, the state government on 22 February 2020 provided financial assistance to 910 different religious places, including 458 temples, 186 satras, 123 naam ghars, 47 mosques and 26 churches.
In 2019-20, the state government has released Rs 91.50 crore under its Assam Darshan project. In 2020-21, the government released Rs 37.70 crore to 377 religious institutions.
However, the Christian community expressed apprehension that the purpose of the survey is to target the Christian community in the state.

“We are not asking for any help from the government. We depend on God for everything. We don’t want any welfare measures from the government. But the government is targeting us for reasons best known to them. ” said Padma Pegu, President, United Christian Forum, Majuli.
In the backdrop of ethnic violence in Manipur, the state government fears similar incidents in the two hill districts of Dima Hasao and Karbi Anglong. The Kuki population in Dima Hasao is 62,000 while the community population in Karbi Anglong is around 30,000.
In December 2022, a letter was issued by the Special Branch of the Assam Police seeking information from all SPs of various districts regarding religious conversions and the number of churches established in their respective districts in the previous year.

The letter was issued by the Special Branch Superintendent of Police on December 16 asking all SPs to submit their report by December 22 with suggestions on “countermeasures” related to religious conversion. do
The letter also asked the SP to record the allotment of land to these churches, key persons associated with these churches, incidents of conversion in the last six years, other patterns of community and religious conversion and such conversion. Provide information about the main factors of
However, on 24 December, the Chief Minister of Assam expressed indifference to the letter and assured that corrective measures would be taken.

“I don’t know in what context the SP has issued this letter. I have already asked the DGP to inquire and take corrective steps because we want to live in peace and harmony in Assam,” he said. Sarma had said.
“We don’t want to hurt the religious sentiments of any community. In short, I completely distance myself from the letter. It was never discussed in the government forum. This letter is completely unnecessary,” the chief minister said. added.
The United Christian Forum of North East India (UCFNEO) reacted strongly and said it was saddened and pained by the notice which sent a wrong narrative to the society.
“Before last Christmas, Assam Police issued a similar circular. But our Chief Minister distanced himself from the circular. Not again after six months, a similar circular was issued. Now we have our Chief Minister. Would like to hear the minister’s comment,” said Allen Brooks, spokesperson, UCFNEI.

“We intend to discuss this circular extensively in a meeting the day after tomorrow,” Brooks added.