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Many injured in scuffles after attack on prayer halls

— Photos: R. Eswarraj

Target of fury: A prayer hall that was vandalised in Kodical in Mangalore on Sunday.

Bangalore: Sunday saw widespread attacks on Christian prayer houses in three districts — Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur — in Karnataka. In Mangalore and at Madantyar in Belthangady, people took to the streets in protest, leading to clashes with the police.

In Udupi district, six persons were injured when miscreants attacked two prayer halls of New Life in Udupi city and in Shiroor village. Miscreants barged into a prayer hall and ransacked the place. In the ensuing scuffle, three women, a man and a two-and-a-half-year-old child sustained minor injuries.

A group of 25 miscreants assaulted the pastor of the prayer hall K.A. Abraham at Neerugadde in Shiror. The group also ransacked the equipment in the hall, smashed window panes and torched a motorcycle and a car. A case has been registered at the Byndoor police station.

In Chikmagalur, prayer halls in Jayapura of Koppa taluk and Magodu village in Balehonnur taluk were attacked by activists of the Bajarang Dal. The police said at least eight persons, including two pastors, were injured.

A group of people attacked a house in Singatagere of Kadur taluk in the district, where a neo convert, Dhanraj, was holding the prayer meeting. Dhanraj was injured and his house damaged.

In another incident, a group of people tried to attack a prayer hall in Dantaramukhi village on the outskirts of Chikmagalur town.

Police chase away a crowd on Falnir Road in Hampankatta where a prayer hall was vandalised.

Speaking on the phone, Superintendent of Police, Chikmagalur, Hemanth Nimbalkar said that while a group of people attacked prayer halls in Jayapura and Magodu, a small group tried to disrupt prayer meetings at other two places. “The police have identified the culprits and they will be arrested soon. It has been decided to provide security to some prominent churches in the district,” he said.

Bajrang Dal State chief Mahendra Kumar clarified that people attacked prayer halls as they were incensed by the “picturisation of Hindu gods in bad taste,” and the Bajrang Dal supported them.

Special Correspondent reports from New Delhi:

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday spoke to Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur and Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa. In his telephonic conversation, the Prime Minister advised them to take steps to maintain law and order and ensure communal harmony.

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