Lucknow, April 23 (IANS): Missionary schools and hospitals attached to them here and in ten districts were closed on Thursday to protest the repeated attacks on the Christian community and the recent vandalism at a church in Agra.

Missionary office bearers said that despite an assurance by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, attacks have not stopped across the country leaving the community vulnerable.

The Christian community also held a silent meeting earlier in the day and warned of intensifying the stir if adequate security was not provided to them and Christian properties.

Bishop Gerald Mathews of the Catholic Diocese said that the attacks were ominous and it has been seen that beyond assurances not much follow up action is taken after such incidents. This protest was a wake up call for the government, he added. Schools and hospitals and clinics in Hardoi, Unnao, Bahraich, Lakhimpur, Gonda, Barabanki, Sitapur, Shrawasti and Balrampur also downed shutters in protest.

Assembly of Believers Church Bishop Augustus Anthony said that if the situation on the ground did not improve they would launch protests across the state and later at the national level.