Author: Times News Network
Publication: The Times of India
Date: December 30, 2001
Chand Lok, a tribal leader from
the north-cast, alleged that Christian missionaries in Meghalaya are engaging
in terrorist activities. Mr Lok alleged that the missionaries were forcefully
converting the tribals to Christianity.
"My colleague Reejoy Singh, who
was trying to stop the conversions, war kidnapped in March this year by
Christian terrorists and is believed to have been killed;" Mr Lok stated
at a press conference here recently.
He also said that later in the year
in June the terrorists also attempted to kidnap him but their attempt was
foiled.
Mr Lok is the general secretary
of Seng Khi Lang, a social organisation working with 182 tribes in Meghalaya
to create awareness about the need to preserve the cultural heritage of
the tribals. The organization was formed in 1971 by Anderson Maori, a tribal
Christian missionary who reconverted to his tribal religion. "Mr Maori
reconverted because he could not tolerate the comments of the Christian
missionaries who call the tribals pagan and uncivilised," said Mr Lok.
He alleged that the American Baptist
church as well as the Roman Catholic Church were engaged in criminal activities.
He also said that the North Eastern
Red Army and Hingtrop National Liberation council are the main organisations
engaged in spreading terror in Meghalaya.
Mr Lok had filed a petition in the
High court regarding the attempted kidnapping and the case is being investigated
by the CBI. He also submitted a memorandum to the Governor of Meghalaya
and the Prime Minister but is still.
