Mangalore, Aug 25 (DHNS): The attack that took place inside the Adoration Monastery near Milagres Church on September 14, 2008 was a pre-planned operation of Bajrang Dal activists,' stated Phelix D’Souza, a resident of Permannur. 

Deposing before Justice Raviprakash, the Legal Advisor to Justice B K Somasekhara Commission of Inquiry which  is probing into the church attack incidents, here on Monday, D’Souza stated that the members of Bajrang Dal entered inside the place of worship and demolished idols and furnitures. They started beating me too, he added.

“Police took me into custody and tortured me and produced me before the court. Later, I was sent to the jail and was lodged there for 11 days,” D’Souza explained in his affidavit charging that the attack was carried out by Bajrang Dal in connivance with the police.

Jokesh Fernandes, a resident of Bastipadpu House in Ullal stated in his affidavit that the police entered inside Permannur Church and started resorting to lati charge along with Bajrang Dal activists on September 15, 2008.

 “They beat me up severely and registered a fake case against me,” he added.  Residents of Ullal Lancy Fernandes, Alegzander Vegus, Monti D’Souza, Veena D’Souza, Zeeta D’Souza and others stated in their affidavits that police and Bajrag Dal activists attacked Permannur church on September 15, 2008. Affidavits of 15 witnesses were verified by the court.