Close X
Thursday, November 14, 2024
ADVT 
India

West Delhi Church Vandalized, Incident Captured On CCTV

IANS, 14 Jan, 2015 12:51 PM
    A church here was vandalized before dawn Wednesday, the fourth such incident in the capital in seven weeks, police said.
     
    The incident, which took place around 4.20 a.m., was captured by a CCTV camera installed inside the premises of Our Lady Of Graces Church at Vikaspuri in west Delhi.
     
    "The CCTV footage shows that two people came on a scooter. One entered the church's premises and smashed a glass window. He also threw the statue of Mother Mary on the floor," Father Balraj of the church told IANS.
     
    The police received a call from the church around 7.30 a.m.
     
    Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Monika Bhardwaj told IANS that a case had been filed against two unidentified men for deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage the religious feelings.
     
    Bhardwaj said the police have a clear picture of one of the culprits who toppled the statue of Mother Mary and smashed the glass window. "He might be in his late 30s."
     
    Father Savarimuthu Sankar, spokesperson of the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese, told IANS: "We see a clear pattern in these attacks."
     
    He said the attacks on churches occurring at regular intervals had unnerved Christians in Delhi.
     
    He said the attacks took place most on the city's outskirts and at four different directions within 44 days.
     
    "We cannot say if these incidents are related to the (coming Delhi) elections or the handiwork of some fundamentalists. But it is a matter of concern and police should take proper action," he added.
     
    Three churches were attacked earlier in separate incidents.
     
    Earlier this month, a minor fire was reported from a church in Rohini in west Delhi. The Christmas crib outside was charred.
     
    Last month, some unidentified people threw stones at Our Lady of Fatima Forane Church at Jasola in south Delhi and broke window panes during the evening Mass.
     
    St Sebastian's Church, a Catholic church at Dilshad Garden in east Delhi, was burnt down in December. Police confirmed it was a case of arson.
     
    According to the 2011 Census report, Christians number around 130,000 in Delhi, which is home to about 17 million. The Christian population in India is 24 million -- of the total 1.2 billion.

    MORE India ARTICLES

    Bollywood inspired Indian stalker in Australia

    Bollywood inspired Indian stalker in Australia
    An Indian man, facing trial for stalking women in Australia, has told the court his acts were inspired by Bollywood movies...

    Bollywood inspired Indian stalker in Australia

    Misuse of pharmaceutical drugs rising in India: UN official

    Misuse of pharmaceutical drugs rising in India: UN official
    After cannabis and heroin, the misuse of pharmaceutical drugs is rising among subcontinental drug users because of their easy availability at cheap...

    Misuse of pharmaceutical drugs rising in India: UN official

    Katju allegations echo in Rajya Sabha

    Katju allegations echo in Rajya Sabha
    The Rajya Sabha was disrupted Wednesday following an uproar by AIADMK members over Press Council of India chairman Markandey Katju's allegations...

    Katju allegations echo in Rajya Sabha

    Temperature rise affecting India's wheat production: Study

    Temperature rise affecting India's wheat production: Study
    The recent rise in temperatures is taking a toll on India's wheat production, an alarming study by geographers at the University of Southampton in Britain said....

    Temperature rise affecting India's wheat production: Study

    Bangalore school chairman arrested in child's rape case

    Bangalore school chairman arrested in child's rape case
    Rustom Kerawalla, chairman of Vibgyor High International School here, has been arrested in connection with the alleged rape of a six-year-old...

    Bangalore school chairman arrested in child's rape case

    Anti-bikini minister wants Goans to wear dhotis

    Anti-bikini minister wants Goans to wear dhotis
    Goa's PWD minister Sudin Dhavalikar, who wants bikinis and mini-skirts banned in the state, now wants people to immediately start wearing traditional...

    Anti-bikini minister wants Goans to wear dhotis