Karnataka police accused of aiding and abetting violence

Law guardians are increasingly turning lawbreakers in the south Indian state of Karnataka.

In the latest of a series of incidents targeting Christians, three churches were attacked by the Sangh Parivar, "aided and abetted by the police."

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) Saturday reported "three house churches were attacked on 28 August, without any provocation in the region of Mavunakatte Palaya, Kunigal, Tumkur District."

"Sangh Parivar activists accompanied by the Deputy Superintendent of Police Prabhakar Reddy, Circle Inspector Shekar and Sub-Inspector Cheinniah Hirematta attacked the Gypsy Prayer Hall and Hostel run by Pastor Hanuma Naik," GCIC reported.

It continued that Bibles were confiscated and one of the students Rama Naik (25) was beaten and eventually taken along with Pastor Naik to the police station.

Accusing them of forceful conversion, police filed an FIR and booked them under various Sections of the Indian Penal Code.

Following this, three other radicals and police officers went to another house church called the Krupashraya Baptist Church where they allegedly searched the home of Pastor M. Madesh and warned his wife against conducting Christian worship services in their home.

Their final stop was at the ICM Church run by Pastor Bhagyanathan. The pastor's house was locked preventing any further attack, GCIC said.

Meanwhile, Pastor Naik and Rama were released on bail at 4 p.m. on 29 August. GCIC said the police had forced Pastor Naik's wife to sign on a blank piece of paper.

According to information gathered by the Bangalore-based Christian advocacy group, Pastor Hanuma Naik has been conducting Sunday prayer meetings at his house and running a boys hostel.

"The hostel houses 50 children from poor scheduled caste families. He has been ministering in this village for the last eight years."

This incident has come on the heels of an August 11 attack on a Christian gathering that ironically led to the arrest of eight pastors in the state.