Mangalore: Peace Committee to Meet Once in Every Two Months
For Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD/CN)
Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
Mangalore, Sep 17: In the wake of the attack on Christian churches and prayer centers across Dakshina Kannada, meetings of the peace committee will be convened once every two months, announced Dr V S Acharya, state home minister, in a press conference held at the deputy commissioner's (DC) office, here on Wednesday September 17.
The minister warned those involved in conversions, to stop such activities at once or be prepared to face strict action. Earlier, Donald Menezes, senior pastor, New Life Society, had denied that his religious group was involved in distributing brochures abusing other religions.
Dr Ismail, principal of Badriya College, accused the the district administration including the police of lethargy. were asleep when such mass attacks occurred in the city. He said that peace and tranquility in the region had been shattered because of this. He also urged the media to stop exaggerating matters and suggested that they be issued a set of guidelines to adhere to when reporting.
Fr Francis Serrao, rector of St Aloysius Institutions, urged the state administration, to conduct a judicial enquiry on the incident. Congress leader Suresh Ballal emphasized the fact that if Christians could be accused of involvement in conversions, so should ISKCON.
MLA Abhayachandra Jain questioned why the RSS was donning the role of police in thwarting illegal cattle transport to abattoirs. It’s the task of the police to apprehend the culprits, he said. MLA U T Khader said that the miscreants did not fear the police who should admit to their failure in maintaining law and order during the recent attacks.
VHP leader M B Puranik retorted that it’s not possible for the police to restrain all attacks at all times. One should respect the religious sentiments of others, he said. Maheshwar Rao, D C, district-in-charge minister Krishna Palemar, western range IGP A M Prasad, ADGP Infant, city mayor Ganesh Hosabettu, and zilla panchayat president Sucharita Shetty, were present at the meting.