Monday, September 15, 2008

Churches attacked in Mangalore

Source: http://kcq8.wordpress.com/ 
Section 144 for 3 days. A pastor in Shiroor injured. A nun hospitalized in Mangalore. Vehicles Burnt. Police teargas and Lathi charge Protestors. Bandh called on Monday.

The RSS - Bajrangdal have carried out attacks against catholic, protestant and believers churches in Mangalore, Udupi and other places Sunday morning.  The attacks were carried out by groups of men belonging to these extremists groups, who entered churches, broke statues, altars, furniture and created mayhem. The attacks took place in Udupi, Mangalore, Belthangady, Kodaikal, Chikmagalore and Koloor,  Kundapur, Karkal, Koppa, Balehonnoor and Moodbidri.
The CSI Church near Kodical, the Adoration monastery near Milagres Church, Newlife Centre located in the Krista Kripa building in Udupi and the New Life prayer centre have been severely damaged. As the attacks took place, catholic churches all over Mangalore started ringing their bells continuously and huge crowds started gathering near churches and raising slogans against the attackers.  Roads were blocked and stones pelted and the Police have used teargas to disperse the crowd. Traffic in Mangalore was totally disrupted as movement of vehicles was blocked completely near Hampankatta. The Dakshina Kannada administration has now imposed Section 144 in the district.
The RSS- Bajrang dal claimed that the attacks were against New Life churches who they said had published books asking people not to worship hindu gods.

A church in Shiroor was attacked and the Pastor (Pastor Sunil) was among the injured. Two churches were attacked and a car and bike were set on fire in Udupi. Prayer halls at Kuloor Madanthyar and Shaktinagar have been attacked. A num in Mangalore has been hospitalized and there are reports of more injuries. Widespread destruction of church property, equipment and furniture has been reported. A group of people also are reported to have beaten up a few innocent christians at Gurpur.

The attacks seem to have been well planned.

(Photo courtesy : www.mangalorean.com)