State had taken delayed action on Church attack: Team

Bangalore, Sep 24(UNI) The two-member team sent by the Union Home Ministry (Internal Security) on 'Fact-finding' mission to Karnataka following violence and attacks on Churches and prayer halls recently today opined that "an early action by the state government would have averted further flare up of the situation.

Speaking to newspersons at a Church vandalised by miscreants on September 22, Mr M N Kumwat, Special Secretary Union Home Ministry (Internal Security) said that " if the State police had acted immediately after the attack on a Church in Mangalore on September 14 the attacks on prayer halls could have been prevented." Stating that there is a similarity between desecration of idols and attacks on Churches both in Bangalore and Mangalore, Mr Kumwat said that "there was a prima facie evidence point towards Hindu hardline activists involved." The state government also seems to have not taken any suitable action against the accused.

The Central member however clarified that they have come to Karantaka not to intervene in the State affairs but only to hand-out suggestions and guidelines in tackling the situation.

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

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