18 February,2011 06:44 AM IST | | Manjunath L Hanji
Police say that initial investigations show that it could be because of a land dispute
For Christians in the city, yesterday morning brought shocking news of desecration of a place of worship in Kachakalli area of Hennur in Banaswadi police station limits.
Wrecked: Residents said that the church has been under repairs for
sometime, and they had gone home after fixing the roof. The next day
they found it damaged and the church display board destroyed.
Pic/Satish Badiger
The Saint Anthony, a 35-year-old church, which was undergoing repairs, was found ransacked by the caretaker, who roused the neighbours. Later, a group of around 250 protestors led by the area corporator Padmanabha Reddy marched to the Banaswadi police station, and lodged a complaint.
The police said that prima facie, it seems like there is a land dispute behind the attack, and they are investigating.
Residents said that the church has been under repairs for sometime, and they had gone home after fixing the church's roof. But they woke up to find it damaged and the church display board destroyed.
Russel Rajanna, the caretaker told this reporter, "I have been looking after the church ever since it was built. Everything was fine when I went to bed on Wednesday night, but found all the repair work disturbed the next morning. The police must find these culprits"
Ramanath, ASI, Banaswadi police station said, "Initial investigations have revealed that the land belongs to another community. It was only after they bought the land they realised there was a church there. They have had frequent disputes with the churchgoers. We are still investigating."
