The Haryana Police have arrested a youth, Anil, in connection with the attack on a church in Kaimri village of Hisar. The accused was one of the 14 named as suspects by Father Subhash Masih, who had found the premises desecrated upon his return from Ambala on March 13.
Inspector-General of Police (Hisar Range) Anil Kumar Rao confirmed that Anil has been arrested after questioning. The police had questioned several other people too in connection with the incident.
On Monday, Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar had assured the Haryana Assembly that strict action would be taken against persons involved in the attack on the church.
He had also stated that on the basis of the complain of Fr. Subhash, an FIR has been registered against Anil Godara, Dalbir Singh, Raj Kumar, Kuldeep, Satpal, Krishan, Suresh, Dinesh, Jogender, Kulwant, Sudhir, Bijender, Satnarain and Chhotu Ram.
The complainant had alleged that these accused had entered his house and damaged some religious signs because of an earlier altercation, which had taken place between them and the complainant on February 8.
The Chief Minister had stated that Fr. Subhash, a resident of Kaithal, had purchased the plot on which the church had come up in the name of Believer’s Church India, Mandadi, Thiruvalla (Kerala).
Mr. Khattar had also noted in his statement that some residents of the village had approached the Deputy Commissioner of Hisar to complain that religious conversion was being carried out by Fr. Subhash in the village.
He had also cited the complaint of one of the residents, Umed Singh, who had claimed that he was assaulted by the Father when he tried to run away from a prayer meeting where Hindu gods were insulted.
Indian National Lok Dal MLA from Hisar, Ranbir Gangwa, had alleged that some Bajrang Dal activists from Hisar had also gone to the village and threatened Fr. Subhash.
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