Udupi: Christians Meet DC, Urge Adequate Protection to Places of Worship
Report and Pics from Hemanat Padubidri
Udupi, Sep 15: Christians led by former Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy member Vincent Alva met the deputy commissioner Hemalata and submitted a memorandum urging her to provide adequate protection to Christians on Monday September 15 afternoon.
It could be recalled that a prayer centre belonging to one of the Christian groups near old service bus stand here was attacked by Bajrangdal activists on Sunday September 14 morning. Following this Catholics of almost all the 48 churches that come under Udupi zone had gathered in their respective churches in order to provide security to their churches.
Though attacks on Christians prayer houses and churches in neighbouring Dakshina Kannada district had given rise to sporadic violence, Christians of Udupi zone had maintained peace without giving heed to any rumours. Catholic youth who showed great restrain in not getting into violence, had urged all the Catholics to gather near deputy commissioner’s office in order to stage peaceful protest.
Accordingly more than 200 Christians from Shirva deanery, Kemman, Brahmavar, Udupi, Sastan, Barkur and other parishes gathered near deputy commissioner’s office on Monday. They were led by Vincent Alva, ICYM Udupi district unit animator Wilson D'Souza Shirva, ICYM Udupi former president Michael Rodrigues Sastan, ICYM Udupi president Manoj D'Lima, Catholic Sabha Kallianpur deanery president Felix Pinto met the deputy commissioner at her office and submitted memorandum.
The protestors restrained from staging any protest or rally but met the deputy commissioner maintaining peace. Vincent Alva speaking with the deputy commissioner said that conversion is nothing but an excuse given to attack Christians. “We are peace-loving people and we do not want to harm anyone by word or deed. We respect everyone and expect the same from others. But we have been soft targets for fanatics. We condemn these attacks and urge you to give adequate protection to our prayer houses, churches and to us," he added.
Accepting the memorandum, deputy commissioner Hemalata assured that all Christians in the district will be give complete protection and law-breakers from any religion will not be tolerated. “I want to send a clear message to all that anyone indulging in any kind of violence will be brought to books,” she assured.
Once the memorandum was submitted, group dispersed from the place silently. Though a few Bajrangdal activists had gathered outside deputy commissioner's office, nothing untoward happened, as both groups displayed exemplary restrain from violence.
Mangalore: Police Resort to Lathi Charge Near Bajpe Church, Opposite Athena Hospital
at 5.15pm, IST
Mangalore, Sep 15: Continuing with their caning spree in the city, the police lathi-charged a gathering of Catholic protestors who had gathered at Bajpe church premises, in the evening, for dispersing them. It may be recalled, that prohibitory orders have been clamped in the city for three days.
Meanwhile, a gang of four miscreants assaulted a person named Deepu, said to be a Sangh-Parivar activist, near State Bank Circle in the city in the afternoon, with a knife. Soon, a big crowd gathered opposite Athena Hospital, where Deepu is being treated for the stabbing wounds. As the crowd threatened to swell beyond manageable size, the policemen dispersed the crowd, by resorting to caning, in the evening.
Complete & Exclusive Coverage: