Catholic priest injured near varanasi

A Catholic priest working with the Indian Missionary Society (IMS) was attacked by unidentified men on September 30, last month.

According to Christian news sources, two unknown youth came on a motor bike at 7.00 p.m and forced entered the residence of Fr Neetibhai (Fr. Joseph Neetilal) living in Chetana Bhavan, an apartment in Hari Narayan Vihar, near Sarnath.

They bolted the house from inside, threatened the servants with a pistol and started manhandling Fr. Neeti, after demanding money.

Luckily, Fr D' Cunha who was supposed to go with Fr Neeti to meet the Bishop of Varnasi, arrived at the scene and managed to catch hold of both the youths who were being chased.

After a short scuffle, the youths injured all the three priests and managed to escape.
While a police complaint has been filed, they are yet to nab the culprits.

Fr Neeti Bhai has expressed gratitude for the great support of his neighbors in the colony who kept vigil the whole night after the incident and is continuing visiting him.

Saajjha Sanskriti Manch (United Forum of Diverse Cultures) of Varanasi has condemned the incident. In a meeting held on 1st October, the members of the Samiti who are secularists, Gandhians and social activists decided to meet the district and police administration to demand the safety of religious and secular people who work for social transformation, cited Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI).