Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore (SP)
Bangalore, Sep 11: Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa informed the legislative assembly on Thursday September 10, that the anti-social elements which vandalized a church near Anekal the previous day, will be punished without any lenience.
Issuing a statement after opposition leader Siddaramaiah and JDS leader H D Revanna raised the issue, Yeddyurappa said that the government was with the minorities and that they need not get unduly apprehensive because of this incident. "Our government has given top priority to communal harmony. The incident at Anekal is serious. The anti-socials have conspired to disturb the peaceful atmosphere here. We do not care who is abetting or supporting such acts. I have issued strict orders to take steps without hesitation," he explained.
The Chief Minister said that he believes, the act is a part of an organized conspiracy meant to defame the government. He claimed that the intelligence wing of the government has been working overtime to ensure that such incidents do not recur. He added that he would issue a detailed statement on the issue on Friday September 11.
Siddaramaiah said that a gang of about 25 persons had vandalized Hebbagodi church, desecrating the statues of Mother Mary and Jesus. He noted that no one has been arrested so far and that the minorities have beeen shaken. Both Siddaramaiah and Revanna noted that such incidents are repeatedly happening under the current government and expressed the view that the intelligence wing in the state has totally failed in its objective.
In the meanwhile, city police commissioner Shakar Bidari has issued orders to fire at the miscreants, who may be entering the prayer centres in the city at night for theft or other mischief. He has asked all the station house officers within his jurisdiction, to visit the prayer centres of all religions within their limits, alert the private security staff there, issue proper instructions and suggestions to them and to take all possible precautionary measures to ensure that such instances do not recur.