Nongpoh: Armed dacoits stormed inside the Umdihar Presbyterian Church in Meghalaya’s Ri Bhoi district, and decamped with huge cash and various other valuable items.
Members of the Umdihar Presbyterian Church told Northeast News that the unidentified dacoits entered the church building by breaking one of the iron rods of one of the windows.
The incident came as a big surprise for everyone in the Christian-majority state of Meghalaya, where churches are always revered by everyone.
The members of the church said that the dacoits looted all the money donated by the congregation along with several valuable items.
However, the total amount of money looted by the dacoits could not be ascertained as the church elders and the pastor are trying to assess the loss.
The church members described the dacoits were ‘heartless’ for leaving a trail of destruction, smashing and scattering items.
RB Shadap, one of the Tymmen Basan (Church elder) of the Umdihar Presbyterian Church said that it was not the first such incident of burglary.
The church experienced similar break-ins three to four times during the last three years, Shadap said, adding that the dacoits caused maximum damage this time.
In previous incidents, the church opted to remain silent and did not report the incidents.
The dacoits broke open locked almirahs, looted the cash stored by the churchgoers.
The dacoits also decamped with a valuable altar vase and musical instruments. They did not spare even a chalice, the church members said.
The church leaders handed over the matter to the Dorbar Shnong (village council) of Umdihar for necessary action.
