Uproar at Bhopal airport over organising prayer meeting

Bhopal, Dec 24 (UNI) Activists of the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and other Hindu outfits created an uproar at the Raja Bhoj Airport premises for about half-an-hour last night to protest against placing a Christmas tree and organising a prayer meeting at the premises.

Airport Director J P Alex tendered apology in writing in view of the protest. Both the sides did not lodge a police complaint about the uproar. However, police reached the spot after receiving information.

State BJYM President Vishwas Sarang alleged that a prayer meeting was orgainsed on the airport premises in the presence of a Christian priest.

Government officials and passengers at the airport were made to attend the prayer to which some people objected.

Mr Sarang said he along with other BJYM workers had gone to the airport to see off Janata Party President Subarmanyam Swami when he was shocked to see the scene and protested against it.

Later, Mr Alex took the responsibility and made an apology in writing. He also removed the Christmas tree.

On whether he would lodge a police complaint, Mr Sarang said a decision would be taken after discussion.

Police said some people broke windowpanes of a cabin door at the airport building. Some Hindu outfits activists reached the airport and raised slogans. However, security officials remained mute spectators.

UNI