Hot on the heels of the sexual assault on a Catholic nun in Raipur, Chhatisgarh an estimated 3,000 people took out a rally on Sunday in the city demanding immediate arrest of those responsible for the crime.
The 47-year-old nun of the Salesian Missionaries of Mary Immaculate was attacked early morning of Saturday in a dispensary.
Christian leaders suggested the attack was a part of targeting Christians.
"It should be seen as part of the ongoing attacks on religious minorities," "If they fail to arrest the culprits soon, we will intensify the agitation and spread it across all parts of the state," said Father Sebastian Poomattathil, vicar general of Raipur archdiocese.
Demanding the arrest of the perpetrators within 72 hours, the leaders have also submitted a memorandum to this effect.
Jayanti Singh, a gynecologist that examined the nun at the scene of the attack said two masked men broke into her room, tied her up and attempted to rape her.
Sister Annies John, the nun's superior, said the victim was wakened by the sound of cupboards being opened. She further added that the attackers forced the nun to swallow a tablet before trying to rape her, though the nun believes she successfully fended them off.
A fellow nun discovered the victim at around 6am, after which police brought her to a government hospital.
Both Sister John and Jayanti Singh said they would have to wait for the police medical report before ascertaining if the nun had been raped.
The attack comes three months after a 71-year old nun was gang-raped near eastern Kolkata city.
Police arrested migrant Bangladeshis but Church leaders suspect they are scapegoats and that Hindu hardliners are behind the attack.
