The Hindu : Attack on church: tension in Orissa town

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Nov 22, 2003

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Attack on church: tension in Orissa town

By Our Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR NOV. 21. Tension continues to prevail in the district headquarters town of Deogarh in western Orissa after an attack on a church, the alleged abuse of a nun and ransacking of the house of a preacher on Thursday by suspected supporters of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal.

About 15 persons, who opposed conversion of some tribal families, had first ransacked the house of a preacher in Ambulpani village, 15 km from the town. As he was away, they took out some papers and leaflets from his room and set them on fire. Later, they went to the town to submit a memorandum to the Collector. However, as he was not present in his official residence, they handed it to the Additional District Magistrate.

According to the Deogarh Superintendent of Police, Laxmidhar Nayak, while returning from the Magistrate's office, they went to Rajamunda village and threw stones at a church breaking the glasspanes of its main door. They set some leaflets on fire outside the church and allegedly abused a nun for `converting' people of the area, Mr. Nayak said.

Two cases have been registered against the attackers. No arrests had been made till this evening.

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