Karbi Anglong authorities clarify data collection exercise of Christian institutions

DIPHU — The District Commissioner of Karbi Anglong, Madhumita Bhagawati, on Wednesday convened a meeting with the leaders of United Christian Forum (UCF), Diphu, and the police at her office chamber in connection with the memorandum submitted by the UCF over the collection of data in churches and Christian institutions located in and around Diphu and Dokmoka town by security personnel.

The UFC, Diphu had on May 14 submitted a memorandum to the DC about the sudden visit of police personnel to various churches in Diphu town and Dokmoka areas on the pretext of collecting data, thus causing panic and fear psychosis among the general public.

It had urged the DC to intervene and immediately call off the exercise in the interest of public peace.

On this, SP of Karbi Anglong, Sanjib Kumar Saikia, informed during the meeting that data collection was done as per the directive from Director General of Police, Assam, for the safety of Christian institutions and members. He added that there was no negative intention.

Based on the directive from higher authority, the police personnel visited various Churches and educational institutions for collecting data, to find out whether there is any harm or threat being faced by the Christian institutions, clarified the SP, adding that the exercise has been completed and the report sent.

A statement issued from the office of Superintendent of Police, Diphu, said that based on the memorandum submitted by Assam Catholic Education Trust (ACET) to the Director General of Police, Assam, on February 12 regarding the safety of Christian institutions and personnel, Assam Police headquarters had issued instruction to all Superintendents of Police to collect information of all Christian institutions and to ensure safety and security of such institutions and personnel.

Accordingly, Karbi Anglong Police collected and compiled a list of all such institutions in the district for ensuring safety and security of such institutions, it was informed.

The SP said that the UCF, Diphu misunderstood the exercise and the matter was amicably resolved during the meeting on Wednesday.

Meanwhile, the UCF president, Rev. Dr. Solomon Rongpi said the meeting with the DC and SP was fruitful. “It was a good meeting and many doubts have been clarified. We want to urge the concerned authority that if any need arises to visit Christian institutions, there should be prior intimation about it,” he said.