Mob vandalises church in West Bengal during inauguration
Priests and devotees were injured in Narayantala after a group of people allegedly attacked the church premises on Saturday.
A group of people allegedly vandalised a church and attacked priests and devotees during an inauguration ceremony in Narayantala, West Bengal, on Saturday, according to the Deccan Herald.
The incident occurred in the Basanti Police station area of South 24 Parganas district while Bishop Subrata Chakraborty, several priests, and devotees were gathered for the event.
A police officer told PTI that 30-35 people allegedly entered the premises, assaulted those present, and vandalised a church cross. The officer said mobile phones of people trying to record the incident were smashed and women were allegedly attacked and forced to remove their traditional 'shakha' bangles.
Herod Mullick, the founder State secretary and working president of the Bangiya Christiya Pariseba (BCP), said the incident was unprecedented as miscreants beat up multiple priests while the bishop was present. Mullick claimed organised groups take the law into their own hands and that attackers have grown reckless due to a lack of deterrence from the administration or government.
Congregation members alleged that attackers threatened to prevent religious activities on the premises. The BCP termed the attack an attempt to intimidate the minority community.
Police have initiated an investigation into the incident.