More churches attacked in Karnataka

MANGALORE/CHIKMAGALUR/KOLAR: Even before the dust on the attacks on prayer halls on Sunday could settle, a fresh wave of attacks has been reported. Three incidents have been reported since Tuesday night even after the ruling BJP government threatened to act tough against those responsible for the attacks.

Unidentified persons broke into a church in Ujire, 70 km from Mangalore, in Dakshina Kannada district and another at Gorigandi in Chikmagalur district and ransacked it, police said on Wednesday.

In Kolar, a statue of Virgin Mary was damaged on Wednesday morning. At Ujjire, miscreants desecrated the St George Church belonging to Syro Malabar Catholic Rite under Diocese of Belthangady in the early hours. They gained entry by breaking the front door lock and burned the Bible, prayer books and destroyed holy icons.

The miscreants threw away the tabernacle where the Blessed Sacrament was kept. They also set the carpets inside the church afire. The incident came to light when the parish priest, and others came to the church for mass at 6 am. They informed Joseph Valiaparambil, vicar general of the bishop's house. Joseph in turn informed the authorities.

Stating that the police inspector and tahsildar arrived and assessed the situation, Jospeh said the diocese strongly condemned the act. "We are not violent and do not believe in violence. We respect the administration and the law of the land. We respect all religions. The Christian community need protection from these kinds of anti-social, anti-religious activities," Joseph said.

In Chikmagalur district, one church was vandalised by miscreants at Gorigandi. The St Thomas church was attacked by three people who came on a motorcycle and broke open the door and damaged prayer mater ials. Balehonnur police have registered a complaint given by Fagin. This is the fifth attack on a church since September 14 in the district.

In Kolar district, miscreants damaged the statue of Virgin Mary outside the St Mary's church in Kolar town in the wee hours of Wednesday. They hurled stones at the church breaking window panes.

As the news spread, people Christians assembled near the church and expressed concern over the incident. Chief of the Roman Catholic church Fredrick urged the district administration to take action to nab the culprits. Link