India: Report on Church attacks in 2011 - Top Three are Karnataka, Orissa and Madhya Pradesh

From: The Times of India

MP among top three in church attacks, claims GCIC
TNN Feb 12, 2012, 03.57AM IST

BHOPAL: Madhya Pradesh ranks an embarrassing third among states that had the largest number of attacks on Christian churches in the last one year, according to the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC).

Three out of the 15 reported attacks had occurred in December alone, says a GCIC report brought out earlier this week.

According to the report, Only Karnataka and Orissa had reported a higher number of church attacks during the year.

GCIC has listed 170 such incidents in the country, the highest being in Karnataka (45). Madhya Pradesh has logged 15 such attacks, three of which were in December last year.

However, MP Home Minister Uma Shankar Gupta maintained to TOI over phone that he had no clue about such attacks in the state. "I am not aware of the details of such attacks but I am sure the administration is vigilant enough to prevent those. The police take prompt action in all such cases,"according to him.

When asked for comment on the case involving RSS and VHP supporters destroying Bibles and beating up a pastor besides looting the place, the home minister disconnected the phone.

Father Anand Muttungal Founder and Coordinator, Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh (IMS) said, "Even prayer meetings are being accused to be attempts at conversions. Previously the RSS and the VHP used to attack missionaries, but now the police are acting on their behalf," he alleged.

Jerry Paul, State General Secretary IMS said, "Last year, the racial profiling of Christians was being done on the basis of source of income and education. Fearing violent attacks like in Kandhamal, Orissa, we protested to the Chief Minister. It was after his intervention that the process was scrapped."