Situation continues to remain tense over attack on churches in Karnataka

Mangalore/Bangalore, Sept 15 : Karnataka police dispersed clashing groups of people as situation continued to remain tense for the second day on Monday over the attack on churches in Mangalore.

Activists of Bajrang Dal are reportedly suspected to be involved in the attacks on at least nine churches during Sunday mass at various places in Karnataka, protesting against alleged conversion of Hindus into Christianity.

Reportedly, miscreants on Monday morning pelted stones on a Church, which led to a clash between them and the Christians. Police had to retort to tear gas to control the situation.

The clash took place despite prohibitory orders banning assembly of more than five people clamped by police in the city on Sunday for three days as a precautionary measure.

Meanwhile denying allegations of any involvement, Venkaiah Naidu, senior leader of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) which is ruling the State, told reporters in Bangalore that his party is against attacks on places of worship and the guilty would be punished.

"That's wrong, anybody attacking any place of worship is wrong and whoever is responsible for attacking it they shall be acted upon. And government is truly bound to take action against them. BJP has nothing to do with any of these incidents," said Naidu.

Suspected activists of Bajrang Dal targeted churches, when Sunday mass was being held at Singtagere, Magodu and Jayapura in Chikmagalur District, and Sirur and Mudur in Udupi District and Kodikkal, Falnir and Alfa Centre in Mangalore.

Last month at least 16 people, mostly Christians were killed, churches destroyed and 10,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes as violence spread in Kandhamal District of neighbouring Orissa.

ANI