Blast in Bangalore church, none hurt

Blast in Bangalore church, none hurt
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

Bangalore, July 9: An explosion took place in the prayer hall of a church in J J Nagar in the city tonight, police said. Confirming the blast, city police commissioner, T Madiyal told PTI that window panes were shattered and the hall developed a "small cavity". Police said no one was hurt in the incident that happened at St Peter and Paul church at around 10.15 pm.

The explosion took place as the people were leaving after a feast. The gathering heard a "big bang", Madiyal said.

Asked if it was a crude bomb, Madiyal said it could not be confirmed immediately, and investigation is on.

Outside the church, an agitated mob resorted to stone-throwing, Madiyal said two autorickshaws were burnt by the mob.

The situation is now peaceful and under control, Madiyal said.

According to Global Council of Indian Christians, national convenor, Sajan K George, it was crude bomb that went off.

ALLAHABAD: Meanwhile, the Samata Party, a constituent of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Government at the Centre, has demanded state governments should take strong action against those attacking Christians and their religious institutions.

The party, in its July newsletter, circulated at the conclusion of the two-day national council meeting at Varanasi yesterday, also demanded that state governments should conduct proper investigations to expose the elements responsible for the attacks on the minority community across the country.

Asking political parties not to draw a final conclusion about the alleged involvement of VHP-RSS-Bajrang Dal in the attacks on lives and properties of Christians, the newsletter said these incidents have occurred in states ruled by various parties and alliances.

"These facts were conveniently forgotten by the opposition parties while creating a false impression against the righist outfits", the newsletter said.

The Samata Party also blamed the media for giving reports that give an impression that attacks on the Christians and other minority communities have increased ever since the NDA Government came to power two years ago.

Setting aside the perception that the attack on Christians was a deliberate designs of politicial outfits affiliated to some parties of the ruling alliance, the party said "these incidents are routine law and order violations and not targeted against any religious faith of the victim or the perpetrators".

Even as the Samata Party virtually gave a clean chit to the VHP-Bajrang Dal and RSS combine regarding their alleged involvement in attacks on Christians, the newsletter asked the outfits to desist from making irresponsible statements which apart from provoking social tensions, make it easy for other parties to politicise these incidents.

At the same time, the party has also appealed to Christian organisations to observe restraint and not play in the hands of disruptive elements trying to create a wedge between the majority and the minority communities.