Goonda Act invoked to stop attack on churches

The Karnataka government has invoked the Goonda Act to deal with people attacking churches in the state.

Karnataka chief minister B S Yeddyurappa briefing reporters after a special cabinet meeting here on Monday, said, “After fresh attacks on three churches in Bangalore on Sunday the state cabinet has decided to invoke the Goonda Act to book miscreants.”

“Situation is under control, and police are still investigating the attacks. Strong action will be taken against anti-social elements. I will meet the Christian community to assure them security. Strict action will be taken against miscreants besides providing round the clock security to churches across the state by home guards, ” he added.

Accusing the Centre of politicising the recent spate of attacks against Christian community, Yeddyurappa said, “Centre should be held accountable for issuing advisory under Article 355. Centre did not issue advisories to the state governments during Singur and Amarnath rows. Now why Karnataka.”

The chief minister later called on Bangalore Archbishop. On meeting chief minister an emotional Archbishop, Bernard Moras, snubbed him over the attacks in the state. “I want to tell you Yeddyurappa we are very upset. I am saying publicly we are wounded. We are hurt. All the churches across the state are damaged. What if one of your temples is destroyed,” Moras asked.

Yeddyurappa said police have been ordered to keep a watch on the movement of Lok Sabha member H T Sangliana and New Life Trust President V M Samuel in the context of their “inflammatory statements and conversion activities”.

He said, “His government had taken “very seriously” their reported statements that “they will not be able to live” under the Yeddyurappa government. “They (Sangliana and Samuel) should explain their statements,” he said adding, instructions have been issued to monitor their movements and activities.

Later addressing a press conference, BJP state president Sadananda Gowda said, “Opposition parties, both Congress and Janata Dal(S), are politicising and inflaming the protesters and supporting attackers. The hand of these parties is visible as per the preliminary investigations.”