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Christian priest stabbed to death in Guntur

Syed Amin Jafri in Hyderabad

A Christian priest was murdered in the coastal city of Guntur in the southern state of Andhra Pradesh on Saturday afternoon.

The incident occurred in Guntur, about 300 kms south-east of Hyderabad. Dr G Emanuel (aged 64 years), Bishop of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, came out of the church and was proceeding to his house for lunch at around 1530 hours (IST) when three unknown assailants accosted him. They hacked him to death with axes and knives.

He was rushed to the Guntur general hospital where be was declared 'dead on arrival'.

Immediately, tension mounted in the area as 40 persons staged a dharna near the mortuary in protest against the killing. The police, however, dispersed the mob.

Subsequently, police pickets have been posted at vulnerable points in the town, including the Andhra Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation bus station complex. The police also intensified patrolling in the town.

Guntur Range Deputy Inspector-General of Police Malakondaiah, Guntur Superintendent of Police Purnachandra Rao and District Collector Hiralal Samaria visited the spot.

The police have picked up three suspects. They suspect the incident to be a sequel to some internal dispute between two rival groups within the same (Christian) community. The bishop was allegedly having some dispute with a rival group.

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