Mangalore Church Attack: 'Policemen Functioned in Partisan Manner'
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Jun 11: Several witnesses who adduced evidence before the Justice B K Somashekhar Commission of Inquiry that has been set up to look into church attacks, alleged that the policemen functioned in a partisan manner, both during the attacks on churches and the incidents that occurred thereafter. They said, the policemen, who enforced section 144, beat up and drove away the Christians who had congregated at Kulshekhar Church Compound besides arresting a few of them, failed to act against the Bajrang Dal and pro-Hindu outfits that were allegedly behind these attacks.
Felix Lobo, Ivan Sequeira, Lancy Rego, Ronald Lobo, Prasanna Machado, Deena Saldanha and Synthia D'Souza from Kulshekhar, Stany Pinto from Padil, Marcel Henry Ferrao from Mangalore etc., recorded their statements before the Commission on Wednesday June 10. Legal advisor of the Commission Hemalata Mahishi recorded their statements.
Ibrahim, main lawyer presenting the cases on behalf of the Christians, examined the witnesses. Other advocates Lancy D'Souza, M P Noronha and public prosecutor Prasanna Deshpande, who were present, coordinated the proceedings.
"When we had peacefully gathered inside Kulshekhar Church compound on September 15 last, the policemen barged into the compound, used teargas shells and caned us. Some Bajrang Dal activists accompanied the policemen during this operation. Because of the use of stale tear gas shells, the environment got polluted and we suffered as a consequence," alleged Ivan Sequeira. He also alleged that the Bajrang Dal activists were provocated to act against the Christians because of a statement issued through the electronic media a day before by the Dal state convener Mahendra Kumar that the Christians have been indulging in religious conversions. Ivan also felt that a few communalists, who were jealous about the fact that the Catholics have been living in harmony with Muslims and Hindus peacefully, perpetrated the incidents of attack on them.
Lancy Rego said that a boy named Rohan had been beaten with canes by the policemen besides kicking him inhumanly. Marcel Henry Ferrao said that the Bajrang Dal activists gathered outside the church compound in spite of section 144 being in force, and threw stones at the churches, causing damage to property. Instead of acting against them, the policemen took action against peaceful Christians, he alleged. Prasanna Machado alleged, that the then Kadri police inspector Ganapati dragged him from near the church door and arrested him.
Deena Saldanha stated, that the discriminatory attitude of the policemen and the failure of the district administration were responsible for the church attacks. "We were not allowed to go home after prayers. With the use of expired tear gas shells, I started suffering from pain in the eyes and headache, which keep recurring even now," she complained. She also said, the policemen beat up everyone including the women and children and that women police were not present at the time. Those who recorded their statements said, that those outside the churches raised slogans like 'Jai Bajrang Bali' and wore saffron shawls. As Mehendra Kumar had declared through the media a day before that his organization had orchestrated the attacks, they said, they believe they were Bajrang Dal activists, they averred. They demanded for banning Bajrang Dal and such other organizations. All the statements given on Wednesday were in Kannada and were recorded in that language.
Sr Rekha denies conversion allegations: In her statement before the Commision, Sr Rekha Lobo said, as a sister of the religious order, she has participated in service activities but had never converted people. "People are now suspecting our service activities. We are apprehensive and fearful while rendering services. Therefore, we need religious freedom and protection," she pleaded. She said that they used to spread the message of love Jesus Christ had given, through health services, education programmes, visiting jails etc. Under the environment vitiated by enmity and suspicion, it has become difficult to continue with these activities, she added. She said she too was beaten up by suspected Bajrang Dal activists, who challenged her to raise slogans against Bajrang Dal just like the previous day.
The witnesses were heard by Hemalata Mahishi. Commission's Legal Cell lawyer Kalashree Vishwanath conducted the main examination while B Ibrahim conducted supplementary examination.