By Sunil Haleyangady
Daijiworld Media Network—Mangalore (RD)

Mangalore, Jan 23: People residing in the neighbourhood of the controversial Hebron Assembly, a prayer hall functioning in Haleyangady, near here, staged a protest on Sunday January 22, alleging conversion and unauthorized establishment.

Addressing protesters, Franklyn Monteiro, vice-president of the state BJP Minority Morcha said that the worship centres that are promoted by a few religious organizations based on the American continent are engaged in conversion, exploiting the helplessness of Dalits.

Local leaders S S Satish Bhat, Ramachandra Shenoy, Vinod Bollur, Satish Munchoor, Eshwar Kateel, Kasturi Panja, Satish Anchan Mulky, Vinod S Salian, Devaprasad Punaroor, Mahabala Salian, and Prakash Shetty Padebettu led the protest on the occasion.

The protesters, numbering over 1,000 including women in large numbers, participated in a protest rally that began from Pavanje temple passing through Haleyangady and the main streets of Padupanambur along the national highway.

Police officers Puttamadayya, Belliyappa, Valentine D’Souza, Basheer Ahmed, Sunil Patil, and the policemen provided security during the protest.