The church was empty at the time of the attack and there were no reports of any casualties. According to the Dahod Police, the mob broke through the church’s main doors and then ransacked the hall, breaking furniture, fans, a clock and some musical instruments. They also pelted stones at the church.

The police said the mob was part of a community gathering in a temple nearby on the same day, and the incident occurred as the congregation was returning home.

The police said they have identified 11 attackers, Bakul Vasaiya, Badhu Vasaiya, Prakash Sangoda, Ashwin Sangoda, Ramesh Sangoda, Bachu Vasaiya, Arvind Ninama, Ramesh Sangoda, Kalu Amalyar, Bhupendra Sangoda and Parul Sangoda, all residents of Hirola village, and have commenced combing operations for nabbing them.

Dahod Superintendent of police (SP) N Torwane said, “A congregation of around 400 people in a temple near the church were returning home, when around 50 men suddenly veered towards the church and attacked it. No casualties were reported but furniture was damaged.” She said the caretaker of the church, Anil Ganava, filed a complaint at the Jhalod Police Station after the mob left the church premises.

However, the Dahod Police is still in the dark about the possible reason behind the flare-up. Sources in the police say that of the 800 families in Hirola, only 22 are Christians, and that there are no records of previous communal disharmony in the region.