Source: Hueiyen News Service
Rengkai (Ccpur), August 28 2010:
At least ten people have been 'detained' by a rebel group at an undisclosed location in Churachandpur district of Manipur for allegedly "worshiping Satan".
"Around 10 people including young boys and girls were detained by a rebel outfit at Rengkai village under Churachandpur police station.
Efforts are on to reach an understanding with the 'misguiged' youths," a reliable source said on condition of anonymity.
The 'satan worshippers" had allegedly congregated at Rengkai cemetery at night two days back to perform their rituals, the source added.
The "detained" persons belong to the Chin-Kuki-Mizo community.
Reports received from another source said that the group had also performed rituals at Lower Lamka on the Tuithrapui river bank.
A 'night curfew' has been ordered by the said rebel outfit in Rengkai from 7.00 p.m since the 'Bark'ing over Satanic symbol? incident in this pre-dominantly Christian inhabited area.
"Some women groups also organised prayer meetings near the trees in which the alleged Satanic symbols were craved," the source added, refusing to name the group.
The symbols have been removed by the locals.
Some pastors have also gone on record stating that "war has been unleashed in our doorsteps" while others who have seen the symbols brushed aside the issue saying it "resembles some heavy rock metal symbols".
In the light of the incident, a legal expert said: "India is a free country and people should not take law into their own hands.
Even if a person breaks a law he or she should be handed over to the police." In this case, there is no legal sanction to prosecute or detain a person who performs and follows his or her faith, he added.