Reangs at Lakhipur took shelter at relief camp after alleged attempts of forced conversion to Christianity

February 18: People belonging to the Hindu Reang Community at Bhubonkhal Punji under Lakhipur Sub-division of Cachar were frightened by a gang suspected to be Hmars with firearms. As a result, the Reangs fled away from their houses and took shelter at Jiribam Relief Camp. The Reang group which fled away comprised of 44 persons, which included 16 children, 15 male and 13 female belonging to 9 houses.

Sources revealed that the Reangs belonging to Hindu community were residents of Borobekra Sub-division who were threatened regularly by some suspected Hmar miscreants armed with firearms. These Hmar miscreants descended from Bathel Punji and involved in extortion.  The miscreants threatened the Reangs that,of dreaded action, in case they fail to fulfill their monetary demands. As a result, the Reangs fled away leaving their home and hearth and took shelter at Goakhal, Jiribam.

Speaking to newspersons, Katirong (38) W/o Brojendro said, “The miscreants during the last Lakkhi Puja came armed with pistols and demanded an amount of Rs. 20,000. Being frightened, we left the placeand took shelter at Goakhal in Jiribam. She further alleged that the miscreants would often lure them to convert them to Christianity. Katirong added, “They used to tell us that if we become Christians forsaking Hinduism then we will not have to pay any money to them.”

It was learnt that the Borobekra sub division development organisation has extended their helping hand and provided shelter to the frightened Reang people at Rajiv Bhawan, Borobekra. On being informed, Ashab Uddin, the local MLA of Jiribam constituency along with M. Mubi Singh, Superintendent of Police, Jiribam District visited  the relief camp at Goakhal and listened to the grievances of Reang people who were oppressed due to frequent monetary demand coupled by the threat of by force conversion.

SDO Lakhipur Sub- division Anurag Sharma also went to the relief camp of and took the stock of the situation. It was learnt that the attempts were on for rehabilitation of the Reangs at Lakhipur.