Nongpoh, May 18: Leaders and members of the Presbyterian Church in Umdihar, Ri Bhoi District, including both male and female leaders and the CE Society, expressed deep distress over the repeated vandalism and theft targeting their place of worship.
This recent incident marks the fourth time the church has been attacked by unidentified miscreants.
They reported that the miscreants stole cash kept in a drawer, broke its lock, money collection bags and imported flower pots. Once inside, they not only stole various items but also desecrated sacred objects.
Church Elder R.B. Shadap informed the press that the incident was discovered by the chowkidar, who lives nearby.
Upon being alerted, Shadap and other church elders visited the site and found extensive damage and missing materials. An emergency meeting was convened at the church on Saturday morning.
Shadap informed that this was not the first theft at Umdibar Presbyterian Church, though previous incidents had not been reported. Due to the severity of the latest break-in and damage, the church elders decided to report the incident to the Dorbar Shnong of Umdibar and file an FIR for police investigation.
“These thefts have occurred four or five times before. We suspect drug addicts might be responsible for these crimes and the destruction of church property,” Shadap said. He added that the incident has deeply affected the church elders, the Umdibar Presbyterian Christian Endeavour Society, the Jingiaseng Kynthei, and the entire church community both physically, mentally, and spiritually. They remain hopeful that the culprits will be brought to justice soon.
