Tensions erupt in Odisha’s Kapena village as tribals allege threats, assault over Church dispute
Kapena, Odisha: Members of the tribal Christian community in Kapena village of Odisha’s Nabarangpur district have alleged that they were harassed, assaulted and prevented from holding prayers following demands by some Hindu villagers to shift a church from its present location, claiming it obstructed their religious activities.
Community members said a mob issued threats using loudspeakers, warning that the church would be demolished and around 30 tribal Christian families would be expelled if they continued their religious practices. The dispute is seen as a departure from the past, as sacred grove and the Blessing Youth Mission Church had coexisted in close proximity for nearly 18 years without reported conflict.
Tensions have escalated over the past two weeks in the village, where tribals constitute the majority of the roughly 250 households, primarily from the Gond, Bhatra and Santa communities, most of whom depend on agriculture. Over the years, some tribal families have converted to Christianity, according to a report pubished by The Maktoob Media.
On Sunday evening, two youngsters from the tribal Christian community, identified as John Santa, 20, and Jolandar Santa, 17, were allegedly summoned by villagers and assaulted. The youngsters filed a complaint at the Umerkote Police Station on January 26, naming seven villagers as accused, three of whom were allegedly involved in leading the mob.
Following the complaint, police visited the village, removed a lock from the church gate and deployed personnel to guard the building, according to Gourab Kauri, secretary of the Nabarangpur Christian Minority Council, as quoted by UCA News. Umerkote Police Station Inspector-in-Charge Ramakant Sai said police had received a distress call from the Christian community, who reported feeling threatened after villagers demanded the church be relocated.
Senior district officials and police personnel subsequently reached Kapena village, where residents from nearby villages also joined local opposition to the church. A community meeting was held in the presence of representatives from both sides, during which it was agreed to maintain peace and avoid taking the law into one’s own hands. Christian community leaders have said they will decide on the issue of shifting the church within 15 days.
Christians constitute about 2.77 per cent of Odisha’s population of around 4. 2 crores, while Hindus and Indigenous communities together account for nearly 90 per cent. According to police, two platoons would remain deployed in the area as a precautionary measure, particularly with a seven-day yagna scheduled in February that could heighten tensions.
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Two held for robbing man on knifepoint
Bengaluru (PTI): Two people have been arrested for allegedly robbing a man at knifepoint after seeking a lift on his two-wheeler, police said on Friday.
The accused, who were apprehended within a day of the complaint, are alleged to have assaulted the victim using a knife and helmet before fleeing with his vehicle, mobile phone and purse.
The victim, a manager at a Kalyana Mantapa in Nellukunte, has lodged a complaint at Chikkajala Police Station on March 26, police said.
He stated that at around 2.30 am on March 25, while heading towards Hunasamaranahalli Road for food, two unidentified persons requested a lift, which he agreed to.
"When they reached near D-Mart on Hosahalli Road, the accused asked him to stop the vehicle. Upon stopping, the accused abused him, assaulted him using a knife and helmet, and robbed his two-wheeler, mobile phone, and purse before fleeing," the release said.
During the investigation, police gathered credible leads and apprehended the two accused near Hunasamaranahalli on March 26.
"Upon interrogation, both accused confessed to their involvement in the offence," it said.
Based on their disclosure, the stolen two-wheeler, knife, helmet, purse and a mobile phone were recovered.
The total value of the recovered property was pegged at Rs 2.20 lakh.
The accused were produced before a court on March 27 and remanded to judicial custody, police said.
