Daijiworld Media Network - Bantwal (SP)
Mangalore: Tension Prevails in District : Stone Pelting, Stabbing Incidents at Night
At 9.00am, IST, Sep 16
Mangalore, Sep 16: Normal life in the city and elsewhere in the district continues to remain paralysed for the third day today. Srirama Sene has called for bandh today, in protest against the incident in which one of its activists were stabbed in the city, in the afternoon on Tuesday September 15 and also demanding for immediate arrest of the culprits. However, Prof M B Puranik has informed, that the Mangalore taluk bandh called for by Srirama Sene today, does not have the support of Bajrang Dal and other Sangh Parivar outfits.
Shops and establishments remain closed. The district administration has declared holiday for schools and colleges in the district today. Roads wear a deserted look, with only a handful of private vehicles moving about. Residents have chosen to remain indoors, because of the tension that envelopes the city and surrounding places.
Some miscreants pelted stones at the CODP centre located at Nanthur in the city, late night on Monday. In Golthamajal near Bantwal, two people travelling in a motor bike were stabbed by unidentified miscreants. The condition of One of the injured persons named Navin, is reported to be serious. Both have been admitted to hospital. However, it is gathered, that this stabbing incident is not in any way connected with the current disturbances.
Security personnel have been manning churches. The chief minister has already announced, that the government would compensate for the losses suffered by churches. However, a disturbing trend was witnessed yesterday, with the stand off between some Hindu outfits and the Catholics threatening to blow into a three-dimensional disturbance, as Muslims were involved in an incident that occured yesterday.
Those who totally rely on their day-to-day earnings have been worst hit, as they are unable to go to their work places because of lack of public transport. Even those who walk to their destinations find it difficult to get their daily need of milk, groceries etc., as almost all the shops were closed yesterday, and continue to remain closed today too. Sparingly, some of the shops opened doors late evening, bringing relief to many who are in dire straits. People were found struggling to get to their homes, tourists were taken for a ride by a few vehicles which were available and banks and government offices worked with thin attendance.
Mangalore: 'Don't Politicize Church Attacks' CM Tells Opposition
Sri Rama Sene Calls For Mangalore Bundh on Sep 16
Pics: Prajwal Ukkuda
at 10.00pm, IST
Mangalore, Sep 15: No organizations will be allowed to take law into their hands. If they have any grievances about the other religion, let them complain to the police. The attacks on Christian prayer halls and churches in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur districts are condemnable. Nobody should take law in their hands. The police department has been instructed to take strict action against the anti-social elements, said chief minister B S Yeddyurappa, here on Monday September 15 evening.
Speaking to media persons at the Circuit House, here on Monday evening, he said that all people have their right to practice their religion. But one should not publish abusive literature against another religion. The Constitution does not allow that, he said.
A delegation from the Catholic community met the CM at the Circuit House and expressed their anguish over the attack on churches. They were asked to help the government to control the New Life organizations that was engaged in publishing abusive literature about Hindu gods and conversion. But the Catholic leaders stated that the New Life organization is not under their control, Yeddyurappa was informed.
Jobless Congress, JD (S):
The Congress and JD (S) have been jobless since a few months as they have no power. But the Mangalore incident has provided a job for them. Instead of helping the government in solving the issue they are politicizing it. Both Congress and JD (S) should not utilize the Mangalore incident for political gains, he said.
153 arrested:
Police sources said that a total of 153 people were arrested in the incidents that occurred in the state since Sunday. 53 people were arrested in connection with the attack on the churches. Others were arrested for pelting stones on the police while staging protests in various churches, sources added.
Sri Rama Sene Calls For Mangalore Bundh:
In response to today's bundh, and alleged conversion by some Christian groups, Sri Rama Sene has called for a Mangaore bundh on Sep 16, 2008.
Normal life in Mangalore is expected to be affected for the second consecutive day tomorrow on account of the bundh. Public Transport, schools, colleges and shops are expected to remain closed on Sep 16.
Mangalore Diocese Asks Community to Stop Agitation Immediately
Mangalore, Sep 15: The Catholic Diocese of Mangalore has appealed to the Catholic community to stop their agitation immediately and maintain peace and help to bring about harmony in the interest of the general public, said Fr William Menezes, PRO of the Diocese.
Mangalore: Miscreants Extend Attacks on Churches In Kerala
Mangalore, Sep 15: The anti social elements extended their attacks on Christian religious centers into the state of Kerala . They attacked St Joseph’s Church in Kasargod on Sunday September 14.
The church was under renovation and the devotees were using the school for Sunday worship. The miscreants attacked the school and broke the windows and statues on Sunday night. They also destroyed the boards belonging to the church.
A case has been registered at the police station and a probe has been initiated to nab the attackers. Home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has taken the issue seriously and deputed Kannur range inspector general on the probe
Mangalore Tense: Two Stabbing Incidents Reported
Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (MR)
at 8.00pm, IST
Mangalore, Sep 15: The attacks on churches across the city are now turning into serious violent situation, as two stabbing incidents are reported.
In Kulur, one person was attacked with lethal weapon. The name of the person who stabbed is not yet known. The victim has been admitted to the private hospital in the city.
Second incident was reported from Kodialbail. In both the cases, name and background of the persons stabbed is not known.
At the same time, the chief minister B S Yeddyurappa arrived in the city and addressed a press conference. He met diocesan priests before proceeding to Udupi.
Udupi: Christians Meet DC, Urge Adequate Protection to Places of Worship
Report and Pics from Hemanat Padubidri
Udupi, Sep 15: Christians led by former Karnataka Konkani Sahitya Academy member Vincent Alva met the deputy commissioner Hemalata and submitted a memorandum urging her to provide adequate protection to Christians on Monday September 15 afternoon.
It could be recalled that a prayer centre belonging to one of the Christian groups near old service bus stand here was attacked by Bajrangdal activists on Sunday September 14 morning. Following this Catholics of almost all the 48 churches that come under Udupi zone had gathered in their respective churches in order to provide security to their churches.
Though attacks on Christians prayer houses and churches in neighbouring Dakshina Kannada district had given rise to sporadic violence, Christians of Udupi zone had maintained peace without giving heed to any rumours. Catholic youth who showed great restrain in not getting into violence, had urged all the Catholics to gather near deputy commissioner’s office in order to stage peaceful protest.
Accordingly more than 200 Christians from Shirva deanery, Kemman, Brahmavar, Udupi, Sastan, Barkur and other parishes gathered near deputy commissioner’s office on Monday. They were led by Vincent Alva, ICYM Udupi district unit animator Wilson D'Souza Shirva, ICYM Udupi former president Michael Rodrigues Sastan, ICYM Udupi president Manoj D'Lima, Catholic Sabha Kallianpur deanery president Felix Pinto met the deputy commissioner at her office and submitted memorandum.
The protestors restrained from staging any protest or rally but met the deputy commissioner maintaining peace. Vincent Alva speaking with the deputy commissioner said that conversion is nothing but an excuse given to attack Christians. “We are peace-loving people and we do not want to harm anyone by word or deed. We respect everyone and expect the same from others. But we have been soft targets for fanatics. We condemn these attacks and urge you to give adequate protection to our prayer houses, churches and to us," he added.
Accepting the memorandum, deputy commissioner Hemalata assured that all Christians in the district will be give complete protection and law-breakers from any religion will not be tolerated. “I want to send a clear message to all that anyone indulging in any kind of violence will be brought to books,” she assured.
Once the memorandum was submitted, group dispersed from the place silently. Though a few Bajrangdal activists had gathered outside deputy commissioner's office, nothing untoward happened, as both groups displayed exemplary restrain from violence.
Mangalore: Police Resort to Lathi Charge Near Bajpe Church, Opposite Athena Hospital
at 5.15pm, IST
Mangalore, Sep 15: Continuing with their caning spree in the city, the police lathi-charged a gathering of Catholic protestors who had gathered at Bajpe church premises, in the evening, for dispersing them. It may be recalled, that prohibitory orders have been clamped in the city for three days.
Meanwhile, a gang of four miscreants assaulted a person named Deepu, said to be a Sangh-Parivar activist, near State Bank Circle in the city in the afternoon, with a knife. Soon, a big crowd gathered opposite Athena Hospital, where Deepu is being treated for the stabbing wounds. As the crowd threatened to swell beyond manageable size, the policemen dispersed the crowd, by resorting to caning, in the evening.
At 3.20pm - IST
Mangalore: No Faith on District Administration : Bishop Aloysius
Mangalore, Sep 15: Speaking on behalf of the bishop of Mangalore who is sick, Fr Onil D’Souza told the media persons on Monday September 15, that the miscreants have attacked the cross and desecrated the holy sacrament in the adoration monastery in Milagres. "There is nothing left for us now to say anything on the issue, as the miscreants desecrated the cross and the holy sacrament that are more precious than our own lives," he regretted.
The hooligans also attacked the nuns in the monastery. The nuns belong to the congregation of Cloistered Carmelites. They never come out of the convent once they enter into it. They spend all their life in prayers. They come out only for voting, with the permission of the bishop and when seriously ill, he informed.
No faith on district administration:
The catholic community has lost faith in the district and police administration, as the attackers have continued to target them relentlessly. The government machinery has failed to take action against the miscreants. The Catholics are also the citizens of this nation like others and they have all the right to live here peacefully, he stressed.
"The Catholics expressed their anguish by taking to the road immediately after the attack on the monastery. Meanwhile, a few youth belonging to the Catholic community have been arrested by the police. The police should release them immediately," he urged.
“District in-charge minister Krishna Palemar visited the bishops’ house on Monday. We told him not to give any assurances, but to ensure security to the minority community in the district,” he added.
“If the anti-social elements are taking law and order in their hands, why do we have the district administration and police in place? We are in a helpless situation. The Catholic community has never indulged in any forcible conversions or spoken derided any other religion,” he cleared.
Bishop Aloysius Paul D’Souza said, that the attack on the police by the youth is condemnable. "No one should take the law into their hands. This applies to all the groups and violence should never be the chosen path of the Catholics," he advised.
Video No 7 (Bishop's Press Meet) Click Here
Mangalore: Fresh Violence: Miscreants Attack St Ann's Friary Grotto
At 02.20pm, IST
Some miscreants damaged one of the statues located at St Ann's Friary at Bejai today afternoon. Thereafter, protestors gathered at Bejai church and later, took to streets, pelting stones at shops and establishments, at around 1.30 pm today. The policemen came on the scene and disperesed the mob, by warning them that they would resort to caning unless they stop the violent behaviour. The situation returned to normalcy thereafter.
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