Attacks on churches spread to B'lore

Four more churches were on Sunday vandalized in Karnataka as the attacks spread to Bangalore where three places of worship became the target, reports BR Srikanth.

Three more churches were vandalised in Karnataka on Sunday, barely two days after the Centre sternly warned to the BJP-ruled government in the state to control growing attacks on Christian worship places.

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Two attacks took place in Bangalore; another in Siddapura in Madikere district, 250 km away.

The fresh attacks forced Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa to admit police failure. “This is a lapse. The home department will take action against the officers concerned,” he said, adding that security near places of worship would be tightened.

He said the attacks were an “organised conspiracy by some anti-social elements to disturb peace in the state”.

The day passed off peacefully, however, in Mangalore and Udupi, where 14 churches and prayer halls were damaged on September 14.

In the early hours of the day, vandals threw stones at the Church of the Holy Name of Jesus in Rajarajeshwari Nagar, and damaged the idol of Infant Jesus.