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Joshi promises full protection to Christians

Maharashtra Chief Minister Manohar Joshi today said the administration and police machinery would take all precautions to avert a Dangs-type situation in the state.

According to reports, Christian missionaries in Peth taluka of Nasik district have been served an ultimatum to leave the tribal areas by March 31, failing which they may have to face "stern action".

Joshi told reporters that the police had been asked to take all precautionary measures to avert any confrontation between Hindus and Christians.

The chief minister admitted that there have been some reports of "forcible conversion", but said he had not received a specific complaint.

He pointed out that Christians had been staying in Maharashtra for several decades, and the government would take all possible measures to protect them. Peace will be maintained at any cost, he added.

He admitted that residents of IC Colony at Borivli, a northern suburb of Bombay, had complained about disruption of their Christmas and New Year's programmes by Bajrang Dal activists. He said the administration had taken "serious note" of the incidents and is taking precautionary measures.

Tight security has been maintained in the northern suburbs after the incident, which was followed by a clash between two sects of a minority community, police sources said.

UNI

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