Date:19/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/19/stories/2008091960560300.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

‘Government encouraging attacks’

Staff Reporter

BANGALORE: The State Government is directly encouraging certain sections of people to carry out attacks on churches in the State, the Akhila Karnataka Dalit and Minorities Kriya Samithi has alleged.

Instead of encouraging them, the Government should take action against those involved in the attacks, it said.

The samithi, in association with several minority organisations, staged a silent protest in front of the Mahatma Gandhi statue here on Thursday and urged the Government to take action against the culprits.

M. Francis Julius, Bishop for independent churches in the city, alleged that the State Government was not taking any action against the attackers.

“Several prayer halls belonging to the minority communities were targeted by miscreants in various parts of the State, especially in Mangalore, Udupi, Kolar, Davangere and other places. But the Government has failed in preventing such attacks,” the Bishop told The Hindu.

Members of Karnataka State Minority Forum, Karnataka Christian Association, All India Christian Council and members of various Muslim organisations took part in the protest.