KOHIMA, July 25 � Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has expressed his dismay over the July 9 incident wherein a Catholic church was pulled down at Anatongre village under Kiphire district.
Terming the incident as unfortunate, the CM asserted that such an act should not have happened in a secular State like Nagaland. He maintained that every Naga citizen is free to follow any religion of individual�s choice as traditionally protected by our customary laws as well as guaranteed by the Constitution of the country.
Rio said this during an interaction with the Catholic Association of Nagaland (CAN) who called on him and Assembly Speaker Kiyanilie Peseyie with regard to the issue of dismantling of the Catholic church.
A release issued by CAN President Deo Dukru and Joint Secretary Letgong Patrick appreciated the �zero tolerance� stance taken by the Chief Minister on religious intolerance in the State.
The release informed that during the meeting with the CAN delegation, Rio asserted that the incident was a violation of the law of the land.
Taking serious cognisance of religious intolerance prevailing in Anatongre village, the CM had summoned the MLA of the area, Torechu, to the meeting whereby he was asked to make the people of Anatongre village understand and bring them to a compromise at the earliest.
Failing this, they will have to face action from the government, it was also reportedly cautioned. The CM is stated to have informed the CAN delegation that he had already received detailed report of the incident from the DC of Kiphire and had since discussed the matter with Home Minister Imkong L Imchen for early resolution of the problem.
