State delayed action against attack on places of worship: Team

Bangalore, Sep 24 (UNI) Early action by Karnataka government would have prevented further worsening the situation, said the two-member team today which was sent by the Union Home Ministry (Internal Security) on a 'Fact-finding' mission to state following the attacks on places of worship and prayer halls.

Talking to newspersons at a place of worship vandalised by miscreants on September 22, Mr M N Kumwat, Special Secretary Union Home Ministry said ''if the state police had acted immediately after the attack on a place of worship in Mangalore on September 14, the attacks on prayer halls could have been prevented''.

Stating that there was a similarity between desecration of idols and attacks on places of worship both in Bangalore and Mangalore, Mr Kumwat said ''there was prima facie evidence pointing to involement of mayority hardline activists''.

It appears that the state government has also not taken any action against the accused, he charged.

The member, however, clarified that the team had come to Karantaka not to intervene in the affairs of the state but only to hand-out suggestions and guidelines to tackle the situation.

The team would submit its report to the Union Home Ministry tomorrow.

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