Prayer hall damaged in Karnataka

MANGALORE: Attacks on churches continued in parts of Karnataka, triggering protests by Christians as Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, facing demands for his dismissal, rushed to the troubled areas for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation on Monday.
 
Police said a small church was damaged on Sunday night, taking the number of prayer halls attacked on Monday to 16.
 
The asbestos sheet roof of the church at Chikkagondanahally in Chikkaballapur in Bangalore rural district was damaged, ADGP (Law & Order) A R Infant said.
 
Police have arrested 53 suspected Bajrang Dal activists in connection with the attack on the churches and prayers halls in three districts of Dakshina Kannda, Udupi and Chikmagalur.
 
A day after the attack over the alleged issue of forcible conversions by missionaries, a charge vehemently rejected by a diocese here, Christians in good numbers poured on to the streets in parts of Mangalore and Bantwal, blocked roads and pelted stones leading to lobbing of teargas shells and baton charge by police.
 
Tension gripped several parts of Dakshina Kananda and Udupi districts and police deployed additional forces to keep vigil and maintain law and order.
 
"The situation is totally under control," Infant said.
 
In the face of opposition unleashing a barrage of attacks and even going to the extent of calling for dismissal of his government, Yeddyurappa rushed to Mangalore and Udupi for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
 
Senior Congress leader Margaret Alva said ever since the BJP has come to power in Karnataka, there "seems to be some kind of madness which has been unleashed in the state".