JJ Nagar back to normal

By Our Staff Reporter

BANGALORE, JULY 16. Life seems to be back to normal in and around the Church of St. Peter and Paul at Jagjivan Ram Nagar (JJ Nagar) which was rocked by a bomb explosion on July 9. While the people are not running scared, the incident has left many agitated and feeling sad too.

"We are not scared at all but have been saddened by it," said Mr. Christopher who is working with a private firm as a fitter. "People of all religious faiths have been living here in harmony for so many years. There has been no such problem." He believes that a foreign hand is involved and all this had been done to create disturbance among the peace-loving people.

On the fateful day when the bomb went off the people had just then left the church after participating in the feast of St. Peter and Paul. It was providence that so many people's lives had been saved. One of the windows of the church stands testimony to the damage caused by the explosion.

Mr. Paul, a social worker, feels that since the explosion occurred many women and children are having second thoughts to come to the church in the evenings. However, he is of the view that the blast is the handiwork of some elements wanting to tarnish the image of the Government.

Mr. A.P.Selvaraj, President, Karnataka Tamil Christian Welfare Association, says that the people are agitated that such a thing has happened. He adds that the area has a good mix of people of all faiths and their relations had only grown stronger after it (explosion).

Dr. (Ms). Fatima points out that ever since the blast more and more women have been coming to the church to attend the prayers. "We should be united and not be scared." She insists on forgiveness saying that it is the true Christian virtue. Sixteen- year-old Salthjyothi only wonders what they had done to deserve it.

Apparently, many Christians felt reassured with the Chief Minister, Mr. Krishna as well as the Corps of Detectives Chief, Mr. V.V.Bhaskar's visit to the church on Sunday. Women had turned out in large numbers for the special prayers which was led by Rev. Fr. Ignatius Pinto, Archbishop of Bangalore.

Some men were sporting black badges as a mark of protest against the violence.

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Section  : Southern States
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