Hebron Church dispute escalates

Hyderabad: Tension erupted at the Hebron Church located at Golkonda crossroads here on Thursday when two factions clashed over the control of church property and administration. Around 3 pm, one group entered the premises and forcibly vacated the other group.
According to eyewitnesses, the altercation involved manhandling and vandalisation of CCTV cameras and a computer’s hard disk. Police entered the scene and halted the fight.
The conflict is about the control of offerings and the management of church affairs. Both parties are vying for authority over the administration of the church, a matter that has led to a legal battle in both the High Court and lower courts, focusing on a dispute between the church society and its trust.
The Hebron Church is part of a larger network, with over 2,000 associate churches spread across India. Founded by Bhakt Singh, a Sikh convert, in 1950, the church has grown to have a significant presence, particularly in the Telugu-speaking states, with an estimated 3,000 Hebron churches in the region. Every Sunday, approximately 2,000 congregants worship at the church's headquarters. Bhakt Singh died in September 2000.