Commission on attack on churches seeks more time to complete work

Udupi, Nov 29 (UNI) The judicial commission appointed by the Karnataka government to inquire into the series of attacks on minority religious places has sought more time to complete the strenuous work.

Retired Judge B K Somashekar who heads the one-man commission said here that the work was onerous and more time was needed to give a thorough inquest into the incident.

He however said he would file an interim report before the inquiry was fully completed.

The inquiry was ordered by the BJP government in the state after more than 25 places of worship came under attack in different places in the state in September this year. This came in the aftermath of similar attacks in Orissa.

"It is already two months and I have covered only three districts -- Bangalore Rural, Dakshina Kannada and Udupi. The volume of work still left is big," Justice Somashekar indicated to reporters after he received affidavits from the people in connection with the attacks here today.

The commission also intends to visit other affected districts before starting judicial probe. The commission had received highest number of 200 affidavits in Mangalore while in Udupi it received 74, he said.

The judge visited the two most affected districts during its last three days visits to these districts. So for the commission had received about 50 affidavits from other affected districts.

He said to enlighten the public about the communal harmony, the commission was considering to hold a seminar where the public could present their views and papers from experts presented.

UNI MA RS TS1910