NCM assesses Mangalore situation

New Delhi, Sep 16: On the spot assessment will be undertaken by a team of National Commission for Minorities (NCM) regarding attacks on churches and prayer halls in different parts of Karnataka to submit its report to the Centre. The team lead by its Chairman Mohammed Shafi Qureshi will assess damaged churches in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, Chikkamagalur and Mangalore.

"We strongly condemn the violence against Christian minorities in Karnataka. This has to stop immediately. We will talk to the victims and also meet the Governor and the Chief Minister there to appraise them of the concerns of minorities," Qureshi said before leaving for Mangalore.

The team also includes NCM Vice-Chairman Michael P Pinto and member Harcharan Singh Josh. NCM Secretary M K Khanna and a Christian member of Delhi Minority Commission will also accompany them.

Earlier, NCM had asked for a report from the Karnataka government on the attacks on churches immediately after the violence broke out.

Qureshi said the state government in its report gave a detailed account of the steps taken by it to control the situation. It said the attack on the prayer hall in Mangalore was carried out by 15 masked men.

Violence erupted in Karnataka after attacks on churches and prayer halls on Sunday, Sep 14 by suspected Hindu activists over alleged forcible conversion.

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