At the same time, it issued notices to the Chief Secretaries of the three States which have reported anti-Christian violence in recent months -- Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat and Orissa -- asking for reports on the steps that have been taken to book the culprits behind the attacks and restore confidence among the minorities. The Commission has set a deadline of two weeks for the submission of the reports.

An official release said the NHRC had taken suo motu cognizance of the continuing violence against the Christian community and urged officials of the three affected States to ensure that such attacks stop and do not recur.

A PMO official said later the Government welcomed the move by the NHRC and hoped that an inquiry by animpartial body like the Commission would reassure the international community that India remained committed to secularism and the rule of law.