Main accused in Haryana church vandalisation case arrested

Haryana Police today arrested the main accused in the vandalisation of an under-construction church in a village in Hisar district.

"The main accused Anil Godara has been arrested from Hisar today," Hisar SP Saurabh Singh told PTI over phone.

He said that the accused will be produced before a court and police would seek his remand.

"Further investigations in the case are under progress and search is on for remaining accused," he added.

An under-construction church in Kaimri village near Hisar was vandalised by a group and the cross replaced with an idol of Hanuman on Sunday, triggering tension in the area.

The complainant, Father Subhash Chand of Williwarsh church, stated that the the group fragmented the cross and installed the statue of Hanuman and a flag depicting lord Ram and threatened to kill him.

It was alleged that they stole a cooler and some items from the church that was under construction.

Chief Minister Manohar lal Khattar had earlier told reporters here that action will be taken against those who had allegedly vandalised the church.

Khattar had said that an FIR has been registered on the statement of church priest Subhash Chander, against several persons including Anil Godara, Dalbir Singh, Raj Kumar, Kuldeep, Satpal, Krishan, Suresh, Dinesh, Jogender, Kulwant, Sudhir, Bijender, Satnarain and Chhotu Ram.

Khattar had told the Assembly yesterday that the building was reportedly built in an illegal colony and the vandalisation was the result of an altercation between the priest and those who attacked the place of worship.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today expressed his concern over the incident and asked for an immediate report on facts and action taken.

Khattar had said that the Father purchased a plot in the name of Believer's Church India in Kaimri village of Hisar a few years ago and now was constructing a building on it.

He said that the villagers had alleged that the complainant was forcibly trying to convert people to Christianity.

According to INlD MlA Ranbir Gangwa, who is legislator from that area, there was not a single Christian family in the village.

"There is no communal tension. The leaders from the Bajrang Dal and some Christian leaders are trying to whip up controversy," he alleged.

In another complaint given to the police by a local villager, Umed Singh, priest Subhash Chander had allegedly started teaching Bible to some locals in the under-construction church, to which they strongly objected.