Situation in Dangs under control: District Collector

Surat, Dec 19 (UNI) Even as Vishva Hindu Parishad is continuing its agitation against the vandalisation of tribal statues in Dangs district, District Collector J M Jadav today claimed that the situation in the area was under control.

''Today we called a peace meeting and received assurances from all parties that there would not be any untoward incident in the coming days'', he told UNI today over phone from Ahva.

However, the collector added that the administration has taken all the precautionary measures including the deployment of police forces at sensitive villages. He informed that the VHP had stopped its dharna yesterday.

Meanwhile, Christian missionaries working in the area expressed hope that things would be under control.

''Barring some highly sensationalised reports in the local media, we think the atmosphere is quite normal'', said Fr Raphael, a missionary working with Navjyot Trust in Subir at Dangs.

However, the local Christian community is not fully relieved of its fear.

''In 1998 also we received similar assurances. But when our Christmas eve procession started, it had been attacked quite unexpectedly'', said a pastor working with the Anglican church in Ahva. ''In 1998, Hindu miscreants also attacked many churches and institutions in the district,'' he said.

VHP sources meanwhile informed that they will continue their agitation including the re-establishment of destroyed statues.

Police sources at Ahva said two companies of State Reserve Police Force (SRPF) was already deployed in the Dangs and more forces would be provided if needed.

UNI MS GB SP RS1857