Separate church attacks leave Mangalore tense

Mangalore, Nov. 17, 2004 – Religious extremism and sectarian violence have struck a high note in Karnataka when recently, in Mangalore, a group of vandals broke into a church in the middle of a Sunday service and ransacked it.

On November 7, a group of 20 young men, believed to be members of a Hindu fanatical outfit, forced their way into the Jesus Bread of Life Ministry Church at Kodikal and after vandalizing the place of worship, left but not before warning the believers with dire consequences if they indulged in religious conversion.

The miscreants hurled stones and smashed windowpanes, chairs, fans, vases and musical instruments. Later, during the day, three suspects were picked up by the police for questioning.

According to the police statement, most of the worshippers ran away as the attackers stormed into the church and interrupted the service. Those who remained behind, were roughed up and were also forced to leave the church. However, no serious casualties were reported.

The president of the Jesus Bread of Life Ministry, Priscilla D’Silva, lodged a complaint with the Urva Police Station, accusing the outlawed Bajrang Dal outfit of being the main culprits in the attack. She said the attack had taken place when the Ministry was conducting the prayer service peacefully. “We are not involved in conversions,” she exhorted. “If we talk to people about humanity, people accuse us of attempting conversions and the same people are behind the attack.”

According to the Urva Police, the residents of the area often complained of “disturbance” in the neighbourhood by the gatherings at the church. According to the complaints, the rituals and prayers followed in the church were against Christianity. They also alleged that the Mangalore Muncipal Corporation had failed to cancel the licence to the prayer hall. As many as twenty–eight petitions were submitted in this regard, to the police station, they said.

Soumendu Mukherjee, Superintendent of Police, said the police personnel were patrolling the area every day but, unfortunately, no police constable was present at the time of the attack. A case of rioting and disturbance to religious harmony has been registered, he confirmed. He also promised to the church authorities that the culprits would be brought to book. The value of the property destroyed in the attack is yet to be estimated.

In a separate incident, three people were injured in a clash between two groups of same community at a Church during Sunday service at Madanthyar falling under the Belthangadi police Station limits.

Police said the injured were admitted to hospital. Similar clash was reported during last Sunday prayer also and the reason behind the clash is under investigation.

Cases have been booked against 20 people in connection with today's incident, police added.

Meanwhile, the Bishop of Mangalore, who was making all effort to settle the issue through compromise has appointed a Commissioner to deal with the issue.