Church bodies and Phek Students’ Union condemn Assam Rifles operations in Peren and Phek, demand inquiry and AFSPA review.
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DIMAPUR — Concerns over the conduct of security forces in Nagaland have resurfaced, with church organisations and a student body condemning recent operations by the Assam Rifles in separate incidents in Peren and Phek districts, while demanding accountability and safeguards to protect civilian and religious spaces.
In separate statements issued on Friday, the Nagaland Baptist Church Council and the Zeme Baptist Church Council condemned a late-night raid conducted by Assam Rifles personnel at Samziuram Baptist Church and the residence of its pastor in Peren district on March 9.
According to the church bodies, the operation was reportedly carried out around 11 pm and involved armed personnel entering the church compound.
The NBCC stated that it was “deeply concerned” by the development and described the entry of armed personnel into a church compound without a warrant or a clearly justified emergency as a severe violation of sacred space.
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It alleged that church workers were threatened during the search operation, an act that ‘amounted to intimidation’ against the congregation.
“The raid is a direct violation and an act of desacralising the sanctity of the whole Christian Church,” the NBCC stated, adding that such actions deeply hurt the sentiments of believers and undermine the respect traditionally accorded to religious institutions in the region.
Referring to the Assam Rifles’ long-standing public claim as ‘Friends of the Hill People,’ the council made it clear that the incident presented a troubling contradiction and questioned why a church compound had become the target of a military operation.
It also pointed out that the armed forces themselves maintain religious teachers and chaplains within their institutions, and therefore should understand the significance and sanctity of places of worship.
The NBCC urged the district administration and higher authorities to urgently examine the circumstances surrounding the raid and clarify whether the church premises had been suspected of any unlawful activity.
The council further demanded a formal apology from those responsible and sought assurances that such incidents would not be repeated in the future.
In its statement, the council also recalled past incidents involving security forces, including the alleged killing of Pelesatuo Chase, a field evangelist of Chakhesang Baptist Church Council, by personnel of the 8th Mountain Division at Chakhabama on April 16, 1956, whose body was reportedly never recovered.
The NBCC reminded that such historical experiences continue to shape public sensitivities regarding military actions in civilian and religious spaces.
The ZBCC also condemned what it termed a “sacrilegious raid” conducted by the 9 Assam Rifles at the church premises without prior notice.
“The Church and its premises are sacred spaces for believers. This disrespectful and irreverent act of violating the sanctity of the Church premises greatly hurts the sentiments of the Church,” the council stated.
The ZBCC warned that such actions could create fear, tension and disharmony within society, and raised concerns over whether church institutions were being subjected to surveillance despite constitutional guarantees of religious freedom.
It appealed to the competent authorities to conduct a thorough inquiry into the circumstances of the operation and to ensure that similar incidents do not occur in the future.
Meanwhile, the Phek Students’ Union issued a separate condemnation over an incident that took place in Phek district on March 12 during a raid conducted by the 39th Assam Rifles.
In a statement, the union said that it was “deeply disturbed and saddened” after its general secretary was publicly blamed and treated as a suspect for allegedly being associated with a faction during the operation.
The PSU stated that such accusations made in public domain not only hurt the dignity of the individual concerned but also affected the reputation of the union and the people of Phek.
The student body further said that relations between the citizens of Phek—including civil society organisations—and security agencies had historically remained cordial and respectful.
It pointed out that incidents of such nature had not occurred in the past and expressed concern that recent actions could undermine the goodwill and hospitality of the local community.
According to the PSU, the use of force and the manner in which the operation was carried out in the public domain had disturbed the peaceful coexistence of the people of Phek village.
It added such actions had created unnecessary fear among law-abiding citizens, irrespective of age or gender.
The union also questioned the continued enforcement of AFSPA in Phek district, arguing that the area has remained peaceful since the ceasefire agreement between Naga factions and the government of India.
“In light of these circumstances, the continued presence of such extraordinary powers may lead to misuse and may also unintentionally damage the humane image and relationship between the armed forces and civilians,” the PSU stated.
The union urged the government of India to reconsider and withdraw AFSPA from Phek district and called on the authorities concerned to take necessary and appropriate measures at the earliest to restore public confidence, maintain peace, and uphold the dignity of the citizens of Phek.