Church attacked in Kerala

A missionary school, which was also used as a temporary church, was attacked in the Kasargod district in Kerala.

A missionary school, which was also used as a temporary church, was attacked in the Kasargod district in Kerala, the police said on Monday.

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The incident follows attacks on churches by suspected Bajrang Dal activists in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in Karnataka, which neighbour Kasargod, the northernmost district of Kerala.

"The attack must have taken place on Sunday night or early Monday morning," the vicar of St Joseph's Catholic Church Punnoor Antony told IANS.

The church authorities found the window panes of the school smashed apart from some other damage.

As the church was under renovation, regular mass was being offered at Jayamatha School nearby.

"We closed the school after prayers Sunday evening. It was this morning we noticed the damage," Antony said.

Police said they had not made any arrests so far in connection with the incident.

"It could be the act of some mischief mongers, who wanted to create panic here," said Ramdas Pothan, Kasargod district superintendent of police.

"The police here are alert following attack on churches in Karnataka," Pothan said.