Mangalore still tense over church attacks

Mangalore, Sept 16 : The situation in troubled areas of Mangalore continues to remain tense today after attacks on churches and prayer halls by suspected Bajrang Dal activists.

Most shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed today.

Police are maintaining a tight vigil in all areas. Over 50 suspected Bajrang Dal activists have been arrested in the three districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur.

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.

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