ES Reporter

ITANAGAR, Oct 8: Giving reactions on the Tawang Revival Church issue, the Indigenous Faith & Cultural Society of Arunachal Pradesh (IFCSAP) on Thursday clarified that they are not against any community or religion and had intervened only as an apex body of the indigenous faith.
Speaking to the media, General Secretary, IFCSAP Bai Taba disclosed that on request of the indigenous people of Tawang and their apex body Monpa Mimang Tsogpa (MMT), the organisation had intervened solely with the intention of stopping illegal construction in the area. “As per reports, the land is a dumping area and the church authority is yet to get any allotment. So if the local indigenous people have any objection to the construction of the church, the church authorities should respect their emotions. Indeed, we urged the church authority to look for an alternate land to construct the church,” Taba informed.
Responding to query as to why IFCSAP had to intervene, Taba clarified that it has only responded to the written request made by the MMT and has nothing to do with religious discrimination. 
When asked about their letter to the Tawang Deputy Commissioner which mentioned the line “no Christian population in the district,” the IFCSAP General Secretary stated that there are only a handful of Christianity believers and the area is a predominantly Buddhist-dominated one. “Therefore, people have to respect the local sentiment and if required, the church can be built on land donated by the fellow brothers and sisters of the Christian community,” he added, also appealing all not to give a communal or religious colour to the issue and strive for an amicable solution.
Meanwhile, President, Arunachal Pradesh Christian Revival Church Council (APCRCC) Reverend Tai Ete has expressed resentment over the intervention of IFCSAP in the issue and asserted that the Church has neither encroached nor illegally occupied the land which was there since 1999. “The land was like a dumping area and not even a public premise. Moreover, we have already applied for its allotment which is pending till date,” the Reverend said.
He also requested the authorities who are opposing the church’s construction to come forward and discuss the matter to clear all doubts and confusion. 

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Kenter Joya Riba

(Managing Editor)
      She is a graduate in Science with post graduation in Sociology from University of Pune. She has been in the media industry for nearly a decade. Before turning to print business, she has been associated with radio and television.
Email: kenterjoyaz@easternsentinel.in / editoreasternsentinel@gmail.com
Phone: 0360-2212313

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