Tawang: As the conflict in Manipur enters its 39th day with no respite in view, a new conflict front has been opened up in Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh where the pillars of the under-construction Christian Revival Church in Tawang that was stopped in October 2020 following complaints by two groups — the Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh and the Monpa Mimang Tsogpa — being removed by the District Administration on Monday.
One may recall that the Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) had taken out a peaceful rally in August 2022 to register its protest over the Tawang church issue. Thousands of Christians thronged the streets to show their disapproval of the state government’s decision to not allow the construction of the revival church in Tawang.
A three-member committee headed by Sports Minister Mama Natung had recommended shifting the church’s location, claiming that the land has been acquired by the government which the ACF had rejected, and urged the CM Sri, Pema Khandu to directly intervene and resolve. Today’s operation suggests that the Government was not going to relent and went ahead with the recommendations of the Expert Committee.
Ironically, the eviction of the removal of pillars of the under-constructed Revival Church was carried at a time when the Arunachal Christian Forum was holding a Solidarity Rally for the suffering people of Manipur and the return of peace.
When the Spokesperson Mr Allen Brooks of the United Christian Forum of North-East India was contacted for his views, he expressed pain and anguish at all that was happening. He said that as he just got the news along with visuals, he needed to cross-check facts and talk with the Arunachal Christian Forum leaders for more clarity and then decide the future course of action.