George Fernandes seeks protection for religious institutions

New Delhi, Sep 18 (UNI) Former Defence Minister and JD(U) leader George Fernandes today urged Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa to immediately take steps to check atrocities on minority community and religious institutions in the state.

In a letter to the Chief Minister, Mr Fernandes stressed the need to take adequate measures to provide security to the people and prevent any individual or groups to "vent their anger through destructive means." Expressing his concern over the attacks on the minority community in Mangalore, which he described as peace loving and law abiding, the JD(U) leader said the events since September 14, pointed to pre-planned attacked by some forces to create religious disharmony between the two commuities. "This does not augur well for the people of the region and for the state of Karnataka," Mr Fernnandes who, is also an MP from Karnataka, said.

He also sought release of innocent people belonging to particular community picked up by police in the wake of violence.

While observing that the reaction of the monority community was spontaneous only after the Monastery of Perpetual Adoration at Milagres-Hampankatta of the Little Sisters of St Clare, was desecrated, he agreed that they should not have taken the law in their hands.

Mr Fernandes also condemned attacks on places of worship.

"I request you to use your authority not only to direct the release of those, who have been taken into custody by police, but also take urgent steps to bring together both communities in a spirit of harmony and reconciliation," he said.

UNI KAS LPB GC1854