Alleged attack on Baptist pastor leads to riots in India

MEGHALAYA, India — At least 10 people are dead, approximately 2,000 houses burned and an estimated 50,000 people displaced following clashes between two tribes in the northeast Indian states of Assam and Meghalaya. Baptists have mobilized resources to assist the displaced and those otherwise affected. The disturbances between the Garo and Rabha tribes began Jan. 1 following an alleged attack on a Garo Baptist pastor in Meghalaya who was returning from a family wedding earlier Dec. 22.

“Many villages have been torched and people left homeless,” said Wanne Garrey of the Garo Baptist Convention. Church leaders, she said, were “trying their best to calm down the situation.” The incidents occurred in the East Garo Hills region of Meghalaya and the Goalpara district of Assam, both bordering each other. The region has a large Baptist population. Much of northeast India, including the states of Nagaland, Mizoram and Manipur, has significant concentrations of Baptist Christians.

“The Garo Baptist Convention has started its relief work,” Garrey reported. “Healing will take time as many have lost their property.” The area was placed under heavy curfew for several days. Even though the curfew has since been lifted, the banning of the assembly of more than five persons will continue to be in force. Shambu Singh, a government official, reportedly claimed that the ethnic clashes between the two warring tribes were “very well planned and there may be some organizations behind it.” Two peace committees consisting of people drawn from the affected areas in both states have been constituted. The committees have district officials, religious leaders and civil society groups from both the warring tribes as members.