11 injured as Bajrang Dal activists attack Church in Narsingi

HYDERABAD: At least 11 people were injured, three of them seriously, when nearly 200 assailants, allegedly associated with Bajrang Dal, attacked a Church in Janwara, in Narsingi of Ranga Reddy district, following a dispute over road expansion.

Local residents claimed the road near the church was being constructed and expanded. However, Christian community members argued that the road should remain at its original size and not be expanded. Tension escalated when the road construction suddenly commenced on Tuesday evening. When the local Christian community members objected to it, a group of assailants associated with Bajrang Dal attacked them. About 10 to 15 people, including women and children, were present near the church.

Also Read: Communal strife in Ranga Reddy district

The Scheduled Caste Rights Protection Society filed a written complaint at Mokila Police Station alleging that approximately 200 assailants, while chanting Jai Shri Ram slogans, indiscriminately chased and attacked women, men, and children with iron rods, stones, and sticks.

SA Indira, one of the victims, told NewsTAP that church member Samuel was verbally abused and physically assaulted with stones, sticks, and iron rods as they objected to the road construction. "Of the 11 people attacked, three are in serious condition," he said.

According to sources, when the victims sought refuge in the church, they were still targeted by the assailants.

On information, senior police officials visited the site and deployed a picket to control the situation. However, the police did not issue any official statement in this regard.

BSP Telangana President R.S. Praveen Kumar posted the videos of the attack on micro-blogging site 'X'. While tagging Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, DGP and others, he wrote "Glimpse of attack on Christians and fundamental rights enshrined in the Constitution (Art 25-28) in Janwada village in the Cyberabad of Telangana. All this is happening in Congress rule, which claims to be very secular!!! @RahulGandhi ji Pl walk the talk."