Coming under sharp criticism from different quarters for the repeated attacks on churches in the national capital and with Delhi elections scheduled later this week, the Union Home Affairs Ministry has stepped in to prod the Delhi Police into action in the matter.
After Monday’s attack on St. Alphonsa’s Church at Vasant Kunj, the Ministry wrote to the Delhi Police Commissioner asking for a detailed report on the police action in similar matters.
Monday’s was the fifth attack on a church in Delhi since December. Christian community leaders alleged that the attacks were targeted and part of a deeper plan.
The Ministry asked the police to submit its report within the next two days, sources said.
A senior official said the Ministry had sought details of “the security provided to religious places in general.” The Ministry’s stress was both on preventive action and surveillance as well as monitoring the police action, an official said. The Ministry directed the police to augment security around places of worship, particularly those belonging to minority communities. The police have been asked to furnish details of “all arrests in the previous cases in the last six months,” the official revealed.
