Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore

Mangalore, Aug 25: In a surprising development, various Christian sects within the limits of Mangalore police commissionerate have been asked by the police authorities to submit details of prayer gatherings to the police stations concerned immediately.

Sources close to daijiworld said that there have been rumours about a repeat of attack on prayer centres similar to that in September 2008, hence police have asked details  like the name of prayer group or sect, place, time and expected crowd etc. But police authorities have denied the rumour and said that there was no need for panic. Perhaps, rumours have been created as the third anniversary of Mangalore church attacks is approaching.

A police official who did not want to be named said, "There are several prayer groups in the city, and prayers are conducted in lodges, hotel halls, private halls, houses and other places. It is difficult to protect such gatherings in case of attacks, and hence police have called atleast 75 pastors belongs to various sects of Christians, except Catholics, and asked them to submit the details so as to provide necessary protection."

When asked why Catholics were not included, police said that Catholic prayers and Mass are usually held within the Church premises.

Fr Ronnie Prabhu, general secretary of the Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights told a Catholic news website, "The pastors were told to follow the instructions to the letter or they would be in danger. The police want the pastors to get permission from the district commissioner to hold gatherings and say how many people regularly attend services."

Reacting to the clause 'DC's permission for prayer' a delegation headed by some pastors including Walter Maben, who is the president of association of 27 Pentecostal churches in Karnataka, Fr Ronnie Prabhu and KPCC secretary Ivan D'Souza met police commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh and requested him not to enforce such a rule, which does not come under the district administration's provision. It is learnt that the police commissioner has assured that no permission will be required to conduct prayers.

It may be recalled here that some time back, Justice Somashekar commission had recommended to the administration that Christian prayer halls and centres must be monitored in order to provide adequate security.