K'taka Govt failed to protect Christians: NCM

Bangalore, Sep 18 (UNI) National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Chairman Mohammed Shafi Qureshi today said the Karnataka government had completely failed in providing protection to the minorities during the communal violence in Mangalore and other parts of the State in the last few days.

Talking to newspersons here, Mr Qureshi claimed police took the law into their hands and beat up several women resulting in serious injuries.

According to complaints received from the victims of police atrocities, it was the police who helped miscreants in vandalizing the places of worship and descecrating statues.

Describing the incidents as a complete collapse of the official machinery, he said the State Government could have been more alert when the tension was building up in the State.

He said the Commission had also asked the government to arrest Mahendrakumar of Bajrang Dal for claiming responsibility for attacks on minorities.

He said Home Minister V S Acharya had assured to take action in this regard.

So far, the government had arrested 201 persons in connection with the violence in attacks on 21 religious places.

To a question, he said the Commission had asked for the details on forcible conversions, if any, during the last one year, he said.

The Commission was expected to submit its report to the government next week for taking action against the people who were involved in the violence, he added.

UNI SIV DS PK KP1803