Five youth have been detained for allegedly trying to disturb peace after they were found conducting certain rituals in a graveyard at Tura, police said today.
The youth have been detained under Section 144 (unlawful assembly) and Section 188 (disobedience to order).
Various Christian groups have been warning that some people, especially the young, have taken to conduct of such unwanted rituals.
Taking note of the practice, Chief Minister Mukul Sangma has asked the district administration and the police to keep an eye on the phenomenon.
"Church members and all like-minded people will be involved in an exercise to root out the presence of such characters," Sangma said.
Voicing concern, state home minister Roshan Warjri said the government was seized of the matter and was 'disturbed'.
"The government will not take the matter lightly and is committed to taking necessary action in order to prevent young people from falling prey to such practices," she asserted.
Fr John Madur, Shillong Archdiocese Chancellor, said, "We are aware that some of the young people have gone astray from the church".
