ASIA/INDIA - New episodes of violence against Christian churches

New Delhi (Agenzia Fides) - New episodes of violence against Christian communities and buildings in India have taken place. A case of vandalism in the church was reported in Goa, western India. Unidentified men hit and damaged a statue of Our Lady of Lourdes in a parish in a village. The faithful are concerned about the desecration of the place.
In another Indian state, Kerala, south India, a Christian cemetery in the district of Pathanamthitta was vandalized, where graves and tombstones were destroyed for two consecutive days. Even the cemetery wall was defaced by graffiti.
In Mangalore, in the state of Karnataka, in central India, the windows of a Catholic prayer hall on the outskirts of the city were shattered. According to local Christians "some anti-social elements are trying to create panic and insecurity in society".
A forum of Christian NGOs said that "the attacks and the frequent acts of vandalism against Christian targets in different parts of the country are worrying: the civil authorities have a duty to stop the violence, ensure peace and harmony in society, protect the rule of law and religious freedom". (PA) (Agenzia Fides 27/02/2015)