Police officers informed the Christian community in the village on Wednesday not to hold services but rather to go a church in neighboring Sawahlunto regency, said Trisila Lubis, a Catholic who lives in Kampung Baru.

The police’s suggestion was apparently made after leaders in the village issued a letter earlier this month banning the community of around 16 families from celebrating Christmas in the neighborhood.

If the Christian residents accept the idea, the police promised they would help transport the congregation to the church, which is about 120 kilometers from Kampung Baru, Trisila said.

However, Trisila, who acts as the community representative, turned the offer down as she did not see it as an answer to their protracted battle to get justice in Kampung Baru.

The 56-year-old woman, who relocated from North Sumatra some 30 years ago to work as a teacher in the village, said such discrimination had occurred in the village for years, particularly in 2017 when a similar letter banning Christmas celebrations was issued on Dec. 22.

Not only are they barred from celebrating Christmas, they were also told not to conduct Sunday mass anymore at a resident’s house. Instead, the congregation was asked to pray individually in their own homes.

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