GNF flays AR raid on Samziuram Baptist Church

Global Naga Forum (GNF) has strongly condemned the raid conducted by Assam Rifles personnel on March 9, 2026 at Samziuram Baptist Church in Peren district including the intrusion into the pastor’s residence.
GNF through its media cell stated that conducting such an operation in the dead of night at a sacred place had seriously undermined the dignity of the church and the community.
The forum expressed particular alarm over reports of a “No Objection / Claim / Harassment Certificate” purportedly signed by the Samziuram church pastor and the village council chairman, claiming no harassment occurred during the incident.
GNF asserted that issuance of such a ready-made document raised serious questions if there was no sinister design behind the operation.
GNF noted that security forces often obtain “No Objection” signatures from affected parties under duress or difficult conditions during search operations.
The forum argued that existence of the certificate itself indicated that a search was indeed carried out within the church premises, raising grave concerns about the respect shown for sacred spaces.
Further, GNF said that unwarranted intrusion has instilled fear and trauma among the pastor, church leaders, and their families, while further eroding public trust between the Naga people and security forces operating in Naga areas.
GNF said that the incident raised serious questions about the protection of fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution of India (right to life and personal liberty) and the freedom of religion as enshrined in internationally accepted human rights standards.
GNF said the Assam Rifles, for decades, had projected itself as the “Friends of the Hill People.” However, it said that incidents such as the intrusion into Samziuram Baptist Church stood in stark contradiction to that claim.
It emphasised that sacred spaces command universal respect across civilizations and cultures, adding that even state authorities were expected to uphold that boundary.
The forum rejected any attempt to dismiss the incident as a mere operational lapse or the result of “misinformation”. GNF said that reducing the violation of a sacred space and the intimidation of civilians to such terms diminished the gravity of the matter.
Placing on record its strongest condemnation of the incident, GNF reiterated that the sanctity of religious institutions and the dignity of the people were non-negotiable.
The forum informed that it would place this case, along with other documented incidents affecting the rights of the Naga people, before the appropriate constitutional and international human rights mechanisms for scrutiny and accountability.