Kashmir, Mumbai terror strikes condemned

Hyderabad, July 12 (UNI) The All India Christian Council (AICC) today condemned the terror strikes in Kashmir and Mumbai, terming them as 'mindless violence designed to create distances between communities by dark forces of fanaticism.' Speaking to newspersons here, AICC State President G Samuel said Christians in Andhra Pradesh, as indeed in the rest of the country, were shocked at the loss of life in the attacks.

Dr Samuel said innocent people were targeted in the mindless violence designed to create distances between communities.

''It is our experience that these dark forces of fanaticism strengthen each other in a mutual frenzy of disseminating hate and intolerance. The nation must be united in defeating them where ever they exist,'' he said.

The AICC accused the state Government of 'failing to protect the fundamental rights of Dalit Christians and the interests of secular state.' AICC State President G Samuel alleged some outfits had accused Christian missionaries and nurses of proselytisation.

''Christian missionaries have been carrying out charitable works in India for centuries and it is not only a travesty of truth but injustice to accuse them of undertaking humanitarian works to convert beneficiaries to Christianity,'' he added.

Sister of Charity (Prison Ministries) President Sister Alice said she had been working for prisoners and drug addicts for over two decades and helped prisoners irrespective of religion get back to their homes as better human beings.

''The government must realise the seriousness of attacks on Christians involved in national building by their relentless service in uplifting the oppressed and downtrodden,'' she pointed out.

A report from Tirupati said the Andhra Pradesh Devalaya Parirakshana Samithi(APDPS) also condemned the blasts.

At a press meet, APDPS functionaries M Kamalkumar and M Subramanyam Yadav asked the government to take stern action against terrorists.

UNI ASJ GM RA HS2209