Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)

Mangalore, Feb 20: PUC student Melwyn Pinto, who had filed an affidavit with the Somashekhar Commission of Inquiry that is probing the incidents of attacks on churches, appeared before the commission’s sitting here on Thursday February 19. He alleged that a few people who arrived at Vamajoor church in an ambulance, broke down the holy cross and that they belonged to a Hindu organization.

Justice B K Somashekhar conducted the hearing of those who had submitted affidavits in the court, relating to the disturbances at Vamanjoor church on the fourth day of the Commission's proceedings. During cross-examination, the advocate questioned Pinto as to whether every one who have a 'Nama' on their foreheads can be said to be belonging to Hindu organizations, the student failed to respond. "I do not know which of them belonged to Hindu organizations. Even when we pointed out the culprits to the policemen, they failed to take any action," he complained.

Another person, Ranjit Pereira said that he was not an eyewitness to the attack on church. However, he swore that an ex-corporator along with those belonging to Bajrang Dal had engineered atrocities on the Christians through the policemen. During cross examination, Ranjit said he has several friends from Bajrang Dal but said he was ignorant about the principles and philosophy of this outfit.

When advocate P M Adiga charged Herald Gracy D'Souza from Pachanadi that the latter had snatched away the walkie-talkie from the policemen, pelted stones at them and hit them with soda bottles, D'Souza said that he saw the statements of Bajrang Dal leaders in newspapers and television. "Expecting attack on church on September 15, I had gone there to provide protection on my own. There are no criminal cases against me. I did not assault the policemen," he claimed.

Marcel Rodrigues, a rickshaw driver from Vamanjoor testified that he had gone to the church along with a woman and a child. By the time they came back, a gang had mobbed the gate of the church and the people in the group wore police uniforms. "They might not have been policemen, but must be members of Bajrang Dal," he stated.

Advocates representing policemen will examine people on Friday February 20.