NEW DELHI - Thousands of Christians Dec 2 protested outside the Delhi Police headquarters demanding security for churches and immediate probe into a mysterious fire that gutted a Catholic church in the city. The Delhi Police Crime Branch has set up a special team to investigate the matter. Over 5,000 people, including Catholics, Protestants, Baptists and Methodists, gathered in front of the police headquarters at the busy...
ITO crossing in central Delhi. They raised slogans and asked for an immediate high-level inquiry into the Dec 1 morning fire at the Saint Sebastian’s Church in east Delhi’s Dilshad Garden area.
The case has been transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch, which has set up a Special Investigation Team to probe the incident, said a police official. The caretakers of the church have alleged the involvement of some unidentified attackers.
“We want a judicial probe into the matter, and demand that security be given to every church, and the accused be arrested,” Father Mathew Koyickal said.
The protesters, including women and children, raised slogans of “We want justice” and held up placards with messages like “Pray and let others pray”.
Delhi diocese Archbishop Anil Couto has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a judicial inquiry into the fire. He said Home Minister Rajnath Singh has given him time Dec 3 for a meeting. “We will put our demands before the home minister. Hope he fulfills them,” he said. The protesters, who also demanded security for Delhi’s churches, were reportedly assured by police that their demands would be met. Special Commissioner of Police Deepak Mishra, accompanied by other senior officials, assured the protesters that a proper inquiry will be conducted. He assured the people of deployment of police at every Delhi church function. Later, a delegation met the police chief, who assured them of a speedy probe. (IANS)
The case has been transferred to the Delhi Police Crime Branch, which has set up a Special Investigation Team to probe the incident, said a police official. The caretakers of the church have alleged the involvement of some unidentified attackers.
“We want a judicial probe into the matter, and demand that security be given to every church, and the accused be arrested,” Father Mathew Koyickal said.
The protesters, including women and children, raised slogans of “We want justice” and held up placards with messages like “Pray and let others pray”.
Delhi diocese Archbishop Anil Couto has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi demanding a judicial inquiry into the fire. He said Home Minister Rajnath Singh has given him time Dec 3 for a meeting. “We will put our demands before the home minister. Hope he fulfills them,” he said. The protesters, who also demanded security for Delhi’s churches, were reportedly assured by police that their demands would be met. Special Commissioner of Police Deepak Mishra, accompanied by other senior officials, assured the protesters that a proper inquiry will be conducted. He assured the people of deployment of police at every Delhi church function. Later, a delegation met the police chief, who assured them of a speedy probe. (IANS)
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