'Control Church attacks or we will impose Prez rule'

New Delhi, Sep 19: The Central Govt has decided to issue warnings to both Karnataka and Orissa governments after a series of attacks on churches and their inability to contain violence. This comes amid reports that members of the Sangh parivar like the VHP and Bajrang Dal are carrying out these attacks with the tacit approval of the state governments.

The warnings will be issued either under Article 355 or Article 365 of the Constitution-- a last warning before the imposition of President's Rule, sources reveal. Article 355, which is an emergency provision, says it's the duty of the Union government to protect states against external aggression and internal disturbances.

Article 365 says that the President can hold that the state is not acting in accordance with the Constitution. This is basically a ground to act against the state.

On Thursday, Sep 18 night, two unidentified youth on bikes set ablaze the St Peters & Paul's church in Jabalpur, Madhya Pradesh. A case has been registered by the police and search is on to identify the culprits.

Mobs of angry Christians shouted slogans outside the church against the incompetence of the police to control such acts of vandalism.

OneIndia News