Following the two fire incidents reported at Kinunger village under Mokokchung district on Friday, resulting in the burning down of two houses, a granary and two wheelers and attempt to set fire to a church at Kinunger village the same day, Mokokchung Police arrested one person as suspect on Saturday.
The first incident occurred in the early hours of May 3, 2024, where two houses, one granary, and three scooters were completely destroyed.
Kinunger Village Council chairman Imlikenba informed Nagaland Post that the first fire broke out around 1:30 a.m. at the Yimpang area. While villagers were attempting to extinguish the fire, another broke out a few houses away, resulting in the complete destruction of both houses and a granary, he said. Fortunately, there were no casualties or injuries reported. Imlikenba expressed gratitude to the volunteers from neighboring villages of Aliba and Chungtia, as well as the fire personnel, for their prompt response to the incident.
Church fire: Imlikenba also disclosed that just as the villagers were clearing debris around 9:40 a.m., another fire broke out inside the Church Friday morning. However, swift response prevented the fire from spreading although parts of the floor and chairs were burnt, he said. He said that three plastic bottles, filled with petrol, were found inside the church, with one fully burnt. However, the church was saved from any major damage, while two more bottles filled with petrol discovered in two vacant houses within the village premises.
He said the attempted arson on the church and setting fire of other houses may have been intentional and the handiwork of unknown miscreants. On filing of complaint, PRO Mokokchung police informed that one person was arrested in connection and further investigation underway.
Kinunger Baptist Church pastor Alem Kichu expressed pain and shock at the attempted arson on the church adding it was unprecedented in Naga history. He said that after the miscreants set fire to the two houses, they attempted to burn the church as indicated by the discovery bottles of petrol.
Y Patton condemns
State Deputy Chief Minister Y Patton has expressed shock and strongly condemned the attempt to burn down a church in Kinunger village on Friday.
Patton said attempting to burn down a Church is never expected and never heard of in Nagaland. He termed the act as “outrageous and numbing”, emphasizing that such actions go against the very tenets of Christian beliefs.
Patton said that those perpetrators attempting to create fear psychosis among the people and disturb the peace of the land shall be punished, regardless of their purpose or reasons.
He also directed the investigating officers to thoroughly probe the case and unearth the truth. He assured that those found guilty will be awarded befitting punishment in accordance with the law of the land.