The Hindu : Karnataka / Bangalore News : Police gear up to prevent attacks on churches

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 23, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Karnataka

Karnataka - Bangalore

Police gear up to prevent attacks on churches

Staff Reporter

Six persons detained for Sunday’s attacks

Security to be worked out in consultation with church authorities
Arrangements have been made to provide additional forces for police stations

BANGALORE: The attack on two churches in the city occurred on the day Police Commissioner Shankar M. Bidari asked his men to be alert during the Sunday mass. Mr. Bidari issued fresh orders on Monday after reviewing the situation.

Following a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa, Mr. Bidari sent out instructions on Saturday to police officers and asked them to provide proper security at all churches and prayer halls until the prayers were over on Sunday. He had asked the police personnel be on alert on Sunday to prevent any untoward incidents

“I regret to note that in spite of the clear instructions to give protection to all churches and all Christian prayer halls, two incidents have taken place in Bangalore city,” Mr. Bidari has noted in the fresh orders.

Specifying the need for giving special attention for protection of churches and prayer halls, Mr. Bidari has warned that if any untoward incidents are reported hereafter, the officer-in-charge of the police station and the supervisory officer concerned will be held responsible.

In a three-page memo, Mr. Bidari has asked his officers to provide a minimum force of one head constable and two police constables at each of the churches and prayer halls, which can be increased to 10 policemen headed by an assistant sub-inspector. One police constable will be provided with a rifle, and communication devices such as wireless set or a mobile phone will be given to the security personnel. One point book should be maintained that duly indicates details of the deployment and movements.

The security should be worked out in consultation with the church authorities. Private security personnel already deployed and interested devotees can be considered in making the necessary arrangements. Police inspectors should try and secure cooperation of the Christian community for the protection of churches and prayer halls, he said.

The Hoysala and Cheetah patrolling vehicles have been asked to frequently check the security arrangements. The assistant commissioners of police and deputy commissioners of police have been asked to check and ensure protection. Arrangements have been made to provide additional forces for some police stations. Instructions have been given to the police to take preventive action against persons who are suspected of causing trouble.

The traffic policemen have been asked to lend support to their law and order counterparts in effectively implementing the instructions., Mr. Bidari has said.

No arrests

The city police have so far not made any arrests in connection with the attacks. “So far, we have not arrested any accused,” Mr. Bidari said.

Speaking to presspersons here on Monday, he said that shortly “the city police will secure a breakthrough.”

Deputy Commissioner of Police (North East Division) Basavaraja Malagathi said that the police had detained six persons. “Regarding Sunday’s attack on Mariyannapalya church, we have detained six persons and are questioning them. We also collected physical clues and vital information such as fingerprints, footprints etc. All efforts will be made to nab the miscreants,” he told The Hindu.

The police have tightened security at the two churches which were attacked on Sunday.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Karnataka