The Rising Peoples Party (RPP) has urged the Government of Nagaland to ‘quickly intervene’ in the matter of Pastor John Roughton, founder of Spirit of Faith Church, Dimapur, who was recently denied entry into India “despite no prior issues with his stay or activities over the past 30 years.”

Expressing its concern, the Party stated that Pastor Roughton is “a deeply entrenched member of our community” and has never posed a threat to the integrity of India nor was he in violation of any regulations as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI). To send him back to the United States without clear justification is both unfair and disheartening, the RPP added.

Suggesting that the Pastor was deported only because of his pastoral activities, it strongly urged the State Government’s intervention with relevant authorities “considering Pastor Roughton and his wife Mrs. Zhepitoli Zhimomi’s standing as good citizens and their invaluable contribution to the Christian community over the decades.”

We believe that this act of deportation by the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) in New Delhi is not only a grave oversight but it also undermines the secular underpinnings of this country, it added.

The RPP also called on the people of Nagaland to show solidarity on the matter.