Minorities to hold protest rally in AP Sep 20

Hyderabad, Sep 19 (UNI) The All India Christian Council (AICC) will organise a rally in Vijayawada tomorrow to urge civil society to insist that the State Governments arrest the people behind the anti-minorities violence.

In a statement, Council National Secretary of Public Affairs Sam Paul said over 25,000 people, including those belonging to various political parties and religions, are expected to attend the rally at Gymkhana Grounds.

''People are coming from all 24 districts of Andhra Pradesh to show their belief in democratic ideals and specifically ask the Orissa Government to pursue and convict instigators of communal violence.

''It's clear that average Indians are ready to engage in peaceful, civil disobedience if that's the only way to provoke a government response. We believe inter-faith harmony and enforcement of the rule of law is best for the progress of India.'' He claimed that over 100 places of owrship were burnt and thousands of people of the minorities attacked in six States across the country since August 23, when the attacks began in rural Orissa after the murder of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati by unknown assailants.

UNI VA RP ND1610