3 churches attacked in Karnataka

The Centre’s rap to Karnataka over attacks on churches in the state has not stopped Christian prayer halls from being targeted.
On Sunday, for the first time since the attacks by Hindu mobs on churches began last week, two churches were desecrated in Bangalore. There was another attack in Kodagu district, about 300 km from Bangalore.
Neighbouring Kerala wasn’t spared either with two churches being desecrated near the international airport in Nedumbassery, close to Kochi. The assault was decried by Kerala Catholic Bishops Council, and the state home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan warned the miscreants of serious consequences.
In Bangalore, the St James church in Mariammanapalya near Hebbal and the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Rajarajeshwarinagar were desecrated by miscreants early Sunday. Police said they detained seven people and suspended a constable for negligence in protecting the shrines.
The fresh attacks bring the BJP-led state government’s ability to deal with the anti-Christian violence into question. Chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, however, said the attacks were an “organized conspiracy” to disrupt the state’s law and order.
The CM admitted that there have been lapses in the policing system in dealing with the repeated attacks. The government will hold a cabinet meeting on Monday to discuss the situation and chart out measures to counter the possibilities of more such incidents.
In Kodagu district, members going for prayers to Brethren’s Church at Nellihudikeri Sunday morning found portions of the front glass facade of the church broken. They lodged a complaint with the police. Mystery surrounds the incident as two constables were guarding the church.
Following Yeddyurappa’s admission of failure of the policing system, the state government has pressed the Karnataka State Reserve Police and Home Guards into service. Mobile patrols are on alert in Bangalore. City police commissioner Shankar Bidari has asked his forces to pull up their socks and ensure security of all churches.
Tension prevailed in the St James Church neighbourhood after news of its vandalisation spread. The incident came to light when a woman entered the church at around 6 am on Sunday and switched on the lights. Two gold-plated crowns and money had been stolen.
In Rajarajeshwarinagar, a broken glass case where an idol of infant Jesus was kept was damaged in an early morning attack on the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus. The incident is said to have occurred around 5 am, when the sound of breaking glass woke up the neighbours. Church authorities and security guards rushed out to find a large stone in the church compound. The attackers had fled.
The police have raised the possibility of a burglary in St James Church incident. The devotees burned tyres and blocked traffic protesting against the alleged apathy of the state government in reining in the attackers.
Opposition leaders who visited both the attack sites slammed the government. Community leaders have urged the devotees to stay calm and appealed to the police to nab the culprits.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/India/3_churches_attacked_in_Karnataka_/articleshow/3510970.cmsWorth Reading?Why don't you express it -- use the icons below to vote.
Be The First to Vote - Email This ShareThis Print This
Categories: News