Bangalore church fire was well planned: Report

An independent group inquiring the fire at a church in Yedavanahalli in Bangalore alleged that it was well projected and has similarities with church attacks in Kandhamal.

In a report by the Transparency International India, Justice M F Saldanha said the modus operandi was identical. The churches were attacked, vandalised and burnt in order to make it impossible to conduct services.

In addition, the report alleged that the police personnel were not on the scene when the incident took place as the offenders sent them on duty to a five-star hotel.

"Six persons in a white Toyota Qualis spent two hours between 10 pm and midnight on the night of the incident at a nearby eating place, drinking and having dinner,'' the report notes.

The report rules out theft as a motive for the attack as nothing went stolen from the church.

In conclusion it says, the attack was carefully planned, premeditated and professionally executed case of arson. Steps were taken to ensure that the police were not on the spot and large amounts of petrol were used to ensure the church was destroyed, the report states.

On October 13, St Anthony's Church in Yadavanahalli was set on fire by miscreants causing a damage of over Rs 10 lakh.

Father C Francis said that it was a clear case of arson. He further added that eight sacred hymnbooks and other valuable articles had been targeted in this alleged attack. He urged the government to act promptly and arrest those responsible for the attack.

Following an inquiry by the Chief Electricity Inspectorate to Government (CEIG) it was clear that the church fire was not due to a short-circuit as alleged but rather a clear case of violence.