Attack on nuns: 13 BJP, RSS supporters quizzed

Sixteen persons were questioned by the police in connection with yesterday’s attack on members of Missionaries of Charity, at Olavanna....

Sixteen persons were questioned by the police in connection with yesterday’s attack on members of Missionaries of Charity, at Olavanna. According to sources, police have received evidence about the involvement of three persons, suspected to be RSS, BJP men.

Of the sixteen — 13 BJP, RSS and three DYFI sympathisers — two were let off after questioning, while the rest are being held for further interrogation. Police have registered three separate cases — one related to an attack on cops, and other two for attacking two groups of missionaries.

Nallam CI Pradeep Kumar will lead the investigation on charges of ‘‘attempted murder’’. Police also said the raids will continue in the Pantheerankavu area until all suspects are apprehended.

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The nuns, along with other workers, had visited a Dalit colony for a rice distribution programme.

North Zone IG Aravind Ranjan said another aspect that is being investigated is whether a foreigner on tourist visa can engage in evangelical activities. ‘‘The Kenyan Bernard arrived on the scene after hearing about the violence, and not for any evangelical work. If there has been any violation of law in this matter, action will certainly be taken,’’ he added.

Alleging that the attack was ‘‘stage-managed’’ by the CPM, BJP state president P.S. Sreedharan Pillai today denied his party’s role in the incident. Sreedharan Pillai told a news conference that the six-member gang, which first assailed the nuns, came from a local club, which has close association with the CPM.

The Left parties, meanwhile, condemned the attack and charged the UDF government for failing to protect the minorities, while the Hindu Aikya Vedi demanded arrest of the Kenyan, who was part of the missionary team that visited the Dalit colony.

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Dubbing the attack as ‘‘a heinous act’’, CPI(M) politburo member and Opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan said the Oommen Chandy government had ‘‘failed’’ to ensure the safety of minorities. The pro-CPI All India Youth Federation activists took out a protest march and burnt the effigy of the Chief Minister.

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