Daijiworld Media Network - Bengaluru (SP)

Bengaluru, May 28: A gang of miscreants attacked Faith Lutheran Church at Pillappa Garden third phase in the city and razed the structure to the ground. The gang which came to the church premises at around 11.30 pm on Thursday May 26 was armed with JCB and other equipment.

Relating to the incident, the police have arrested Patric (40) and Stevan (39), both from Pillanna Garden.

A person named James had been working in the church as security guard since the last three years. He had settled down in a small house he had built within the church premises with wife and two children. The attackers first entered the residence of James, posed threats to him, and then demolished the church building, it is said. They then pushed James and his family members outside before razing to the ground their residence. The miscreants then fled from the spot, the policemen said.

The land where the church stands belongs to Patric. About a decade ago, he had given this land on rent for a few people from his community to run a catering service. Initially, a small shed had been built for running catering service. Thereafter, a small prayer hall was built for offering prayers. Patric too took part in these prayers in the past. In course of time catering business stopped and attempts were made by trouble mongers to usurp this land. Last week, suddenly, the name board, 'Faith Lutheran Church' was hung on the building. Patric took strong objection to this and asked the concerned to vacate. But his request was not complied with. Patric, angered by the defiance, hired a JCB to bring down the building on Thursday, it is gathered.