CSF condemns attack on place of worship

Mumbai, Nov 16 (UNI) The Catholic Secular Forum (CSF) has condemned vandalism of a place of worship and brutalising of its pastor by alleged members of Shiv Sena and Bajrang Dal at Navghar in suburban Bhayander.

Condeming the incident, in which pastor Philip Fernandes of the was yesterday attacked, in a strongly worded statement here today, the CSF has demanded Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh and Home Minister R R Patil take stringent action and provide security to all worship centres.

The CSF has also demanded compensation of Rs four lakhs for damages to property.

''The mob also targeted others in the prayer hall and vandalised church property. It is shocking that despite several warnings the state government was turning a Nelson's eye to the communal menace in Maharashtra. The attacks on minority community are on the rise and the state government has not acted in a befitting manner to curb atrocities on them,'' the statement said.

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