A delegation led by local Congress MP Madhavrao Patil, former MP and city unit chief of the Congress Murlidhar Mane and Dr J K Gaikwad met district collector Manoj Saunik and submitted a memorandum demanding action against those ``disturbing the secular fabric of the country''.

The memorandum also pointed out that attacks on Christians were on the rise as the Sangh Parivar had become aggressive after the Shiv Sena-BJP government assumed power in Maharashtra and the BJP led coalition came to power at the Centre. They stated that even in other states, Christians were being persecuted.

In Maharashtra, they added, missionaries were attacked in Latur, Malad and Ambernath. Thememorandum added that according to a survey, there had been 17 incidents of attack on Christian missionaries.

Meanwhile, the district superintendent of police, Bhagwantrao More said that the attack on converts and their church in Kayre Sadadpada village was a stray incident and not an organised attack by Hindu fundamentalists. He opined that the attack was a result of hostilities among tribals over contributions towards their annual `Maulya' festival.

He further said the police had registered cases against the offenders and that the matter was being handled in a cautious manner as ``religion was a delicate issue.''

Twenty six tribals have been booked under sections 143 (unlawful assembly), 147 (rioting), 295 (defiling a place of worship), 323 (causing hurt), 342 (wrongful confinement) and 427 (mischief). They were arrested and later released on bail.