Arunachal Christian Forum welcomes government's panel-formation move for Tawang

Organization urges IFCSAP & JSM not to indulge in hatred propaganda

A CORRESPONDENT

ITANAGAR: The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) welcomed the three-member committee constituted by State Government to resolve the matter of construction of Church at Tawang, earlier.

Addressing media persons at the Press Club, ACF president TokoTeki said, "We are ready to cooperate with the committee; and will respect the final decision of the committee as we appreciate the step taken by the State government to solve the matter by forming the committee.

"We believe in the integrity of the committee members that the final decision will be taken impartially; but if feels that the decision taken is partial, the ACF shall launch a democratic movement."

Regarding the recent announcement of local body elections to be held on December 22 by the State Election Commission (SEC), Teki has appealed to the SEC to defer the elections stating that December is the 'holy month' for Christmas celebration. The celebration begins with Christmas carol from the first week of the month and the celebration lasts for a month.

Expressing disappointment at the scheduled date, he said, "The ACF is not against any election; but there is a possibility of violence during the election thereby casting its effect by creating partywise divisions among the people which will have a negative impact during the holy occasion. Teki also appealed to the SEC not to conduct elections during festival in the near future.

Highlighting that many district units of the 'Indigenous Faith and Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh' (IFCSAP) and the 'Janjati Suraksha Manch' (JSM) — a Madhya Pradesh-based organization — have written to the Prime Minister of India appealing to remove those Schedule Tribe (ST) individuals who have changed their original religion to Christianity, Teki stated that the indigenous people of Arunachal Pradesh are tribals by birth, and no power can change the fact. Claiming that their appeal is unnecessary attempt to create division among the peacefully maintained society of the State, the ACF president requested the IFCSAP and the JSM not to impose in any kind of hatred propaganda in the State.

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