?government not responsible for church attacks?

Bangalore : The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government in Karnataka is not responsible for the 2008 series attacks on churches here, said the commission investigating the incident.

The commission, headed by former judge BK Somasekhara, was formed to investigate the role of government and the state police in the incident.

Submitting its reports to Chief Minister BS Yeddyurappa on Friday, the commission gave a clean chit to both the government and police, and said none can be held responsible for the attacks.

The report will be made public after it is tabled in the Karnataka Assembly.

In September 21, 2008, three churches were attacked by unidentified persons in Mariyannapalya, Banasawadi and Rajarajeswara Nagar in Bangalore.

The churches were attacked at around 4:30 am, while an incident of stone pelting was reported at the Raja Rajeshwari church. The church at Mariyannpalya was reportedly vandalised by agitating groups.

On Sept 20, 2008, the state convener of Bajrang Dal, Mahendra Kumar, was arrested by Mangalore Crime Intelligence Bureau while on his way to a nearby town, Ujire, in Dakshina Kannada district for a Dal meeting.

Kumar was held for his statements to the media claiming Bajrang Dal was responsible for the attacks on churches in several districts of Karnataka.

He was charged under various sections of the IPC with causing enmity between communities on grounds of religion. Kumar was produced before the chief judicial magistrate on Sept 20, 2008 and remanded to judicial custody for 15 days.

There was a clamour for Kumar?s arrest after his controversial statement, and the Karnataka government was on the backfoot following the Centre?s tough stance against the desecration of churches in the state.

Cadres of Bajrang Dal attacked Christian places of worship in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur districts. IGP (western Range) AM Prasad said Kumar has been linked to attacks on at least 17 places of worship in three districts.

Asked if police apprehended any trouble in the region with Kumar?s arrest, the IGP (Inspector General of Police) had disagreed and said, “All police personnel drafted for bandobast in the wake of the recent incidents are still in place,” adding, “There’s sufficient police presence.”