Church vandalised in Agra, idols damaged

In another act of vandalisation, a church in Uttar Pradesh's Agra was broken into and its idols damaged.

"I heard my car's alarm around 3.30 a.m. and I saw the car's windows were smashed. Then I went towards the church and I saw the gate was open. Four-five idols of the church were damaged," said the church's priest, Father Moon.

"They seemed to have been destroyed by stones. The perpetrators wanted to inflame communal passions. We want justice from administration," he added.

The police have lodged a complaint into the case and an investigation is on.

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"Idols were damaged and brought outside. We have lodged the case, investigation is going on," said the city's Superintendent of Police Sameer Saurabh.

The Delhi Catholic Archdiocese, meanwhile, condemned the incident and urged the state and Central government to ensure the safety of minorities.

"It is very disturbing and sends across a wrong message. This is happening every month. We appeal to State and Central government to see to it that safety of minorities is ensured," said Father Savarimuthu, spokesperson of the Delhi Catholic Archdiocese.