The Hindu : National : Christians seek protection

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Wednesday, Nov 05, 2008
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Christians seek protection

Staff Reporter

DEHRA DUN: Several members of the Christian community here have appealed to Uttarakhand Chief Minister B.C. Khanduri to provide protection to them against any attacks by members of the Veer Savarkar Yuva Morcha (VSYM) and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP).

They alleged that the VSYM and The VHP members attacked a priest and two others and ransacked a makeshift Church at Choela village here on Monday.

Kuldeep Swedia, convener of the VSYM, Manohar Sharma, a ward councillor, and Madan Gopal, media in-charge of the VHP, were detained for breach of peace and later released by the police.

The VSYM and VHP accused the priest Hemant Guru, Suraj Kumar and Suresh Kumar of trying to convert the Hindus by offering monetary inducements. “We will not allow conversions that are forced through bribe,” a VSYM activist said.

Hemant Guru, however, denied any attempts to convert people. “We are engaged in peaceful worship and meditation and would not like to outrage the feelings of other communities,” he said.

Senior Congress leaders have condemned the attack.

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