Church appeals for peace as Kashmir, Punjab flare up over Quran desecration

The Church of North India (CNI) Tuesday deplored the attack on its institution and church after violence erupted in Punjab and Kashmir following rumours that a copy of Quran had been burnt in the US on the anniversary of 9/11.

"We the members of the Christian community are peace loving and believe in brotherhood. We request the members of all religious faiths to stand with us to condemn this fundamentalist attack on our churches by individuals who do not represent any faith community in the world," the general secretary, Alwan Masih, said in a statement.

He called upon the President, Prime Minister, Home Minister and Chief Ministers of both the states to restore peace and provide ample security to safeguard the faith of the Christian community.

Authorities in Kashmir blamed Iran's state-run Press TV for broadcasting images of a small group of Christians ripping the Koran in Washington, which they said triggered violence in the region.

"We have decided to impose a ban on the airing of Press TV broadcasts by local cable operators," the state chief secretary S.S. Kapur told reporters in Srinagar. "We appeal to the people not to heed unverified reports about the alleged desecration of the Holy Koran."

Religious leaders from both the Christian and Muslim communities met with district administration officials appealing for calm.

Expressing dismay over the violence, the All India Christian Council (aicc) urged all to "maintain peace and harmony and let law of land take due action against those that have attempted to hurt, burn and incite religious sentiments."

Meanwhile, prominent Muslim leaders Tuesday condemned the attack and urged their community members to "show restraint"

"Whatever the provocation, Muslims should limit their disapproval and protest against such incidents to peaceful demonstrations, press statements and memoranda to the authorities concerned," they said in a written statement.

""Islam specifically prohibits such acts and behavior. We urge the authorities concerned to take stern legal action against the culprits."

Also, expressing dismay over the reports of violence was US ambassador to India Timothy J. Roemer. "I urge the Muslims to protect the members of minority community and their religious places. We should at any cost maintain the age-old communal harmony and brotherhood for which Kashmir is known the world over," he said.

The escalating violence so far has critically wounded more than 100 people.