Dimapur, Aug. 27 (EMN): Residents of Wokha town on Monday held a public rally to demonstrate their ‘resentment’ against the ‘proposed’ immersion of the ashes of former prime minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee in the Doyang River.
A statement from the Lotha Baptist Churches Association (LBCA) informed that the rally was organised by the LBCA, the Lotha Baptist Churches Pastors Conference and the Lotha Hoho at the police point in the town.
“The rally was attended by the staff of Lotha Baptist Churches Association and the pastors under it, Lotha Hoho and all its frontal organisations and the Lotha Students’ Union. Hundreds of public gathered at police point (in) Wokha daring inclement weather to express their resentment against the proposed immersion which is alien to Christian faith and belief as well as the Lotha culture,” the statement read.
It informed that the ‘congregation unanimously declared that any kind of act or ritual which are alien to Christian faith and belief and the culture of the Lothas shall be resented unanimously even in the days to come.’
Ao pastors join chorus of opposition
The Ao Baptist Pastor’s Fellowship (ABPF) issued a statement denouncing what it stated was the ‘act and behaviour’ of Temjen Imna Along, Nagaland’s minister for Higher Education. “Looking back, on February 16, 2018 when ABAM, the apex body of Ao churches called on the intending general election candidate for prayer, it was Imna Along Longkumer who pronounced that his aspiration to contest in BJP ticket was to safeguard our Christian faith and to protect the minority Christians from communal agenda.
“However, it is disheartening to see our own testimonial Christian leader being involved in such an unaccepted spiritual act which is a stumbling block for Christian faith which comprises more than 90% population. Therefore, we the Ao Baptist Pastors’ Fellowship strongly denounced the act and behaviour of our minister Imna Along Longkumer for which God knows His best,” the statement read.
It stated that the church was against anyone defaming the Christian faith.
