Christians seek practical action on attacks in southern India
-21/11/06
Representative
Christians seek practical action on attacks in southern India
-21/11/06
Representatives from several Christian organizations in India are expressing concern and calling for action in the wake of what they say are rising attacks against them in Hubli-Dharwad, Karnataka State, in Southern India.
Church and human rights groups are urging the regional deputy commissioner of police, MS Srikar, to provide security for those listed in several recent incidents and to launch and enquiry.
Nirmal Nagar Catholic Church at Kalyan Nagar was set on fire one night, parish priest Fr Fidelino Araujo reported to the authorities. And a church in Hubli had to shut down its Sunday worship service within the city limits after receiving threats.
Extreme nationalist activists are also said to have threatened a pastor not to visit his Christian contacts and congregants at Revadihal Village in Hubli Taluk.
It is further claimed that militants have assaulted a person while attacking a prayer hall, and have desecrated Bibles in the building at Sangolli Rayanna Nagar in Dharwad.
Witnesses say that the police were in the vicinity but did nothing. The authorities deny this.
Six Catholic priests (Fidilino Araujo, Rabort Dadapuri, Diric Fernandes, Moris Muskaranas, Philip Kutti and Pramod Dhalabhanjan), Sister Irin and others church representatives made up a recent delegation to call for swift action from the authorities.
The church leaders and their supporters are also arguing that it would be appropriate to hold an enquiry into police conduct.
Mr Srikar, the police commissioner, has assured them that a proper inquiry will be conducted into the incidents and the appropriate action taken.
Christians seek practical action on attacks in southern India
-21/11/06
Representatives from several Christian organizations in India are expressing concern and calling for action in the wake of what they say are rising attacks against them in Hubli-Dharwad, Karnataka State, in Southern India.
Church and human rights groups are urging the regional deputy commissioner of police, MS Srikar, to provide security for those listed in several recent incidents and to launch and enquiry.
Nirmal Nagar Catholic Church at Kalyan Nagar was set on fire one night, parish priest Fr Fidelino Araujo reported to the authorities. And a church in Hubli had to shut down its Sunday worship service within the city limits after receiving threats.
Extreme nationalist activists are also said to have threatened a pastor not to visit his Christian contacts and congregants at Revadihal Village in Hubli Taluk.
It is further claimed that militants have assaulted a person while attacking a prayer hall, and have desecrated Bibles in the building at Sangolli Rayanna Nagar in Dharwad.
Witnesses say that the police were in the vicinity but did nothing. The authorities deny this.
Six Catholic priests (Fidilino Araujo, Rabort Dadapuri, Diric Fernandes, Moris Muskaranas, Philip Kutti and Pramod Dhalabhanjan), Sister Irin and others church representatives made up a recent delegation to call for swift action from the authorities.
The church leaders and their supporters are also arguing that it would be appropriate to hold an enquiry into police conduct.
Mr Srikar, the police commissioner, has assured them that a proper inquiry will be conducted into the incidents and the appropriate action taken.