MUMBAI: A mob of about 100 militants of the Hindu fundamentalist party Bajrang Dal attacked a church in Saavner area of Nagpur and vandalized it, according to reports reaching the state police headquarters in Mumbai yesterday. The attack took place at 11.00 a.m. when 70 members of the Christian community were praying in the church. The incident led to tension and panic in the city.
Police beefed up security in the area and appealed to the people to not to believe in rumors and help in maintaining peace and harmony in the city.
According to police sources, the Bajrang Dal militants attacked the church on the suspicion that it was being used for converting Hindus to Christianity.
The police have registered a case against four accused persons, who are reported to be absconding. The Hindu militants damaged chairs, tables, fans in the church and a minibus that was parked in the church compound.
In another development, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) chief Raj Thackeray on Saturday released his party's manifesto in Mumbai. The manifesto includes issues relating to the interest of 'Marathi' people, priority to the sons of the soil in recruitment in federal government services and laws preventing entry of migrants into the state.
Raj said that he would not make any promises of providing free electricity or distribution of rice at two rupees per kilo. Instead the party manifesto states transparently what the MNS Members of Parliament would do after being elected. "The nature of my work is very small, and my statement in the manifesto speaks of what we do and what we can do," he said.
