Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)

Bangalore, Sep 23: The state government has asked the policemen to invoke Goonda Act against those involved with attacks on churches. This decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the cabinet held on Monday September 22, informed chief minister B S Yeddyurappa.

Asserting that the government is both committed to and capable of managing the law and order situation in the state, he said that the police department has been instructed to charge those attacking churches under the Goonda Act.

"Police investigations have revealed that the incident at the Mariannanapalya church in the city was not an attack in itself. It was theft. In connection with the attack on a church at Rajarajeshwari Nagar, a constable and two others have been suspended for dereliction of duty, “the chief minister explained. He also said that five persons were arrested from Nellihudkeri in Kodagu district on charges of trying to convert people and that cassettes, books and other things being used to lure people for religious conversion were seized from their possession.

The chief minister accompanied by the home minister Dr V S Acharya, state director general of police Srikumar and chief secretary to the chief minister V P Baligar, held discussions with the governor over the issue of attacks on churches and explained the steps taken by the state government to diffuse the situation.