Police told to enhance security for churches

Home Minister Rajnath Singh Thursday told Delhi Police to enhance security of churches in the capital following attacks on some of them in the last three months.

The move came hours after a group of Christian leaders called on Singh and demanded security for Christians and their places of worship, said an official release.

The minister told the delegation that the government would never tolerate any discrimination on caste or religious lines.

He instructed Delhi Police Commissioner B.S. Bassi to make arrangements for the security of churches and all places of worship.

"Rajnath Singh also instructed the police to conduct an impartial inquiry into the recent reports of attacks on churches in Delhi," the release said.

Earlier, at least 200 demonstrators, mostly Christians, were detained while marching towards the minister's residence protesting against the attacks on churches in Delhi.

The agitators demanded a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) in all cases of attacks on churches. Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha joined the protesters.

"I am here in my personal capacity to express solidarity with them," said Chadha.

On Feb 2, a south Delhi church was burgled and a few sacred items were stolen. Earlier, four other cases were reported including an alleged arson attack in east Delhi Dec 1.