Armed Robbery and Violence at Tumdegi Church in Jharkhand: Investigation Underway

The state of Jharkhand is grappling with a rise in criminal activities, the latest instance being a violent robbery at the Tumdegi Church in Simdega. Reports indicate that a group of 10-12 masked individuals, equipped with weapons, invaded the church premises. The criminals successfully stole approximately 3.50 lakh rupees. The Dean and Parish Priest, Thomas Soreng, and Assistant Parish Priest, Emmanuel Baghwar, were subjected to a brutal assault when they tried to intervene. Both priests are currently receiving medical attention at the Sadar Hospital in Simdega, under the supervision of the Civil Surgeon. The incident took place late Tuesday night, causing a significant stir in the community. Senior police officials, including the SP, DSP, and SDPO of Simdega district, immediately visited the hospital to assess the situation and gather details from the injured. The police have initiated a comprehensive investigation into the incident and are actively pursuing the perpetrators. The community is expressing outrage over the incident, with local residents and elected officials urging the administration to quickly apprehend the criminals and to enhance police patrols to ensure the safety of religious establishments and rural areas. This incident is not an isolated one, as a similar robbery occurred in June 2025 at the Samsera Church in the Bolba police station area. Five masked individuals, armed with weapons, stole around six lakh rupees, and assaulted people forcing them to chant religious slogans. These incidents have highlighted the growing concern among the public and pose a serious challenge for law enforcement agencies.