Dispute over control of Church: 24 booked in the Dangs for rioting

Ahwa, Dang, 9 December 2014

Police in Dang district of south Gujarat has arrested 24 persons after two groups of Christians filed complaint following dispute over administrative control of local CNI church in Ahwa.

Two groups of Christian have taken stand against each other for control of Church of Brethren and Church of North India(CNI).

On 7 December 2014 when Christians went to CNI church for prayer, one Shilaben K Shende allegedly announced that those who are not invited and not part of Khristi Seva Bhajan Mandal should leave the premises. According to a police complaint, later threat was also issued.

Police has booked 24 persons under IPC 143, 147, 153, 296, 323, 504, 506(2). They are Urmila Volterbhai, Raksha Vitorbhai Mistry, Bina Rosebhai, Kusum Suresh Vaghmare, Sunanda Prabhakar Chothve, Jayvanti Suhas Mistry, Sharmila Prakash, Kubiben Emanuel, Panna Avinashbhai, Vilan Kajubhai Gaekwad, Sapna Azadbhai, Augustin Rajvadi, Naresh Ambal, Shila Shende, George Mistry, Samel Tukaram, Vinod Kishan, Rakesh Thakor, Vasant Shevur, Babji Gamit, Nilesh Mistry and Suryata Vaghmare.

CNI church was built in Ahwa, which is the headquarters of tribal Dang district during British era.