Author: Rajahmundry
Publication: Sify News
Date: February 19, 2003
URL: http://news.sify.com/cgi-bin/sifynews/news/content/news_fullstory_v2.jsp?article_oid=12629350&category_oid=-31504&page_no=1
Tension gripped two sleepy villages
in East Godavari district following opposition to the construction of a
church.
Police pickets have been posted
in Sakurru village and the Amalapuram Revenue Divisional Officer has directed
two pastors to refrain from carrying out the construction till further
orders from higher authorities.
Police and Revenue officials said
the two pastors, Rev Vinodkumar and Rev Jayababu, had started the construction
work at a place which included a portion of government land.
Villagers of Sakurru and 'G-Agraharam',
who were opposing it, alleged that the pastors visit Hindu households in
the absence of male members and raise false hopes among the womenfolk with
an intention to convert them.
Police said the villagers have issued
an ultimatum to the pastors to leave the place on Wednesday or face dire
consequences. Meanwhile, the landlords, who have rented out their house
to the pastors, have asked them to vacate immediately.
The pastors in turn have lodged
a complaint with the police, apprehending threat to their lives from the
villagers and sought protection.
