rediff.com: Blast in Hubli church, Christians react angrily

A Protestant church in a Christian-dominated locality in a suburb of Hubli was rocked by a blast in the early hours of Saturday, provoking angry protests. The incident comes in quick succession to the twin explosions near a church in Gulbarga district in June.

The explosion occurred at the Lutheran church, causing minor damage to the wall at the entrance to the prayer hall and a steel gate, but there were no casualties, police said.

Christian leaders allege that the police did not react swiftly to the incident. Police said the blast occurred at 0400 hrs (IST) but their control room in Hubli was informed only five hours later.

Protesters set fire to a bus and threw stones on passing Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses. The police resorted to a lathicharge twice to bring the situation under control.

Christian demonstrators began a 'raasta roko' on the Gadag road. The protesters also went in a procession to the office of Deputy Commissioner Vandana Gurnani who assured them that the matter would be thoroughly investigated. Police Commissioner Dharampal Negi also assured them of protection.

Additional Director General of Police (Law and Order) Vijay Sasnur said from Bangalore that the situation was peaceful now and explosive experts had rushed to Hubli from Bangalore.

Reacting quickly, Karnataka Home Minister Mallikarjun Kharge, who was in Hassan to attend a police meet, ordered a high-level probe into the incident and said he would visit Hubli on Sunday or the day after, official sources said.

In Bangalore, Christian leaders expressed shock over the explosion and asked the central and state governments to protect nuns, preachers and the laity and institutions. In a joint statement, they said the attack came in the wake of similar bomb attacks on churches in Karnataka, Goa and Andhra Pradesh in June this year and 'unabashed violence' in Uttar Pradesh, Orissa and other parts of the country.

Meanwhile, as part of a nationwide programme, Christian organisations observed Saturday as the 'National day of Solidarity Against Communal and Fascist forces' which, they said, had indulged in 'unchecked' wave of violence against Christians and other minority communities.


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