A widow of Lauwaki Settlement, Lautoka, Veena Wati has cleared the air after allegedly being attacked on social media by people accusing her of destroying Hindu idols.

The 54-year-old mother has spoken out against her attackers after a video circulating on social media showed the idols being removed.

Ms Wati said proper rituals were conducted before the idols were removed from her property last Wednesday.

She cleared the air stating the idols were removed because she was enlightened to convert to Christianity without force.

Ms Wati claims she approached her neighbours to continue taking care of the idols, but they refused. Her late husband built those idols in 2017 for his daily prayers.

For now, her family lives in fear as tension in the community is high.

“I have been sick for two years now, I live alone,” he said.

“The pastor came after work on Wednesday, and he asked me ‘are you willingly wanting to convert yourself or is someone forcing you’, I made it clear that I was not forced to convert.

“With the idols that we worship, we must take diligent care of it, and I cannot do that because I am sickly and cannot even look after myself.

“Since I could not look after the idols anymore, I decided that I will convert and give my life to Jesus, I saw the enlightenment and it was my will.”

She claimed a neighbour even prayed that she loses her life overnight and that her home be burned down.

For now, Ms Wati is residing with her family in Vuda as she is in fear of Neighbours attacking her.

Meanwhile, her family has forgiven the group of people responsible for sharing the video on social media.

Police spokesperson Ana Naisoro confirmed that a report was lodged.

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