Congress demands CBI inquiry into Church attack

Bangalore, Sep 22: Congress on Monday, Sep 22 demanded a CBI inquiry into the attack on churches and violence in Mangalore city on September 14, alleging that some police officials were involved in the incident, KPCC President Mallikarjun Kharge said .

Speaking to reporters after submitting a memorandum to Governor Rameshwar Thakur, he said that in Mangalore the attack and violence lasted for three days on the behest of Bajrang Dal and while police remained mute spectators.

"Only through a CBI inquiry can the real facts come out and real culprits are brought to books," he added.

He said the state had witnessed attacks on 26 places of worships belonging to minority Christians since September 14. The BJP government in Karnataka should order a Judicial inquiry by a sitting Judge into the entire episode and not by a retired judge as announced by the Chief Minister now, he demanded.

Among others, Congress called upon the Governor to seek details about alleged illegal conversions that had taken place in the State and their FIRs in the Police Stations. These details can be sent to the Union Government and the President, he said.

Mr Kharge alleged that the violence and attacks on places of worships in the state, which are continuing unabated since last one week, led to doubt weather there was any rule of law in Karnataka.

He came down heavily on Chief Minister accusing the Congress for every such incident and said there was some limit to make false accusations.

"As a Chief Minister he should desist from making baseless allegation. He must observe patience and study the situation from all angles before showing an accusing finger at anybody," he added.

UNI