Ranchi, Sep 22 (IANS) Tribals in Jharkhand are up in arms against a recent Kuduk translation of the Bible, which exhorts people to destroy trees and places where they worship. The Bible Society of India has apologised for the translation and has promised to withdraw copies from the market.The Kendriya Sarna Samittee (KSS), an organisation of tribals, has announced it will burn the copies translated into Kuduk - one of the local tribal languages - if they are not withdrawn.

“Tribal are peace loving people. But if anyone insult our society we will not spare them,” Ajay Tirkey, president of KSS, told IANS.

He said: “The translated version of Bible is insulting the tribal people which we object.”

“Destroy the trees and Sarna (worship) places where tribal worship,” said Tirkey, quoting from page number 230 of the translated Bible.

After failing to meet governor Syed Sibte Razi to lodge their protest, KSS has now announced it will hit the streets and burn copies of the translated version.

Apologising for the error in translation, Soma Bhaktar, secretary of Bihar and Jharkhand of Bible Society of India, said: “The translated version was published on request of a particular society. Before publishing the version we could not verify the facts. We will withdraw the books from bookstalls.”

The society had been in trouble earlier this year, following the publication of a book that purportedly insulted a local freedom fighter. The issue was raised in the state assembly.