Chhattisgarh Catholics concerned over attacks

Police also often arrest missionaries on false charges, they said.

Raipur:  Christian community in Chhattisgarh feels insecure as police seemed to be working under pressure from Hindu groups in acting against increasing attacks on its members, said a high-level meeting of Catholic representatives.

The Chhattisgarh Catholic Council, a representative body of bishops, priests, religious and laity, expressed the community’s “deep anguish over the recent incidents of attacks and unlawful actions.”

“We urge the state government to take stern action against those responsible and to prevent recurrence of such incidents," said a council press release issued after they met in the state capital on Friday.

In the past three years suspected activists of Hindu fanatic groups have attacked several several priest, nuns and missionaries. A Catholic nun was also raped. The increaaing attacks have "made the community very sad,” the release said.

The meeting alleged that fanatic groups take law into their hands and the administration stand helplessness. Police also often arrest missionaries on false charges of violating a law that restricts conversion activities.

The meeting was attended by Bishops of Raipur, Raigarh, Jashpur, Jagdalpur and Ambikapur Catholic dioceses, priests, nuns and lay representatives from different all the dioceses of the state.

In the face of attacks, "the role of police is not impartial as it often seemed to be under pressure from these groups. They register cases without proper investigation,” the release said.

"Christian community feels insecure as the state government has neither taken any stern action nor issued any guidelines to deal with such situations. Morale of attackers are high," the council alleged.