Cong: demands CBI inquiry into attack on place of worship

Bangalore, Sep 22 (UNI) The Opposition Congress today demanded a CBI inquiry into the attacks on place of worship and violence in Mangalore city on September 14, alleging that some police officials were involved in the incident.

KPCC president Mallikarjun Kharge told newspersons after submitting a memorandum to Governor Rameshwar Thakur, that in Mangalore, the attacks and violence lasted for three days at the behest of 'Bajrang Dal' but police remained mute spectators.

''Only through a CBI inquiry can the real facts come out and real culprits brought to book,'' he claimed.

He said the state had witnessed attacks on 26 places of worship belonging to minority Christians since September 14. The BJP government in Karnataka should order a judicial inquiry by a sitting Judge into the entire episode and not by a retired judge as announced by the Chief Minister, he demanded.

The Congress also urged the Governor to seek details about alleged illegal conversions in the state and their FIRs in the Police stations. These details can be sent to the Union Government and the President, he said.

Mr Kharge alleged that the violence and attacks on places of worship in the state, which were continuing unabated since last one week, led to doubt weather there was any rule of law in Karnataka.

He came down heavily on Chief Minister blaming the Congress for the incidents. He said, ''As a Chief Minister he should desist from making baseless allegation. He must observe patience and study the situation from all angles before pointing at somebody,'' he added.

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