The Haryana police on Tuesday detained two people in connection with the Hisar church attack in which under-construction Williwarsh Church in Hisar district's Kaimri village was vandalised last Friday and the Cross replaced with a Hanuman idol.
Based on Father Subash Chand's complaint, the police had earlier booked 14 people under Sections 147 (Punishment for rioting), 153A (promoting enmity between groups), 295 (destroying, damaging a place of worship with intent to insult the religion of any class of persons), 380 (theft in a building), 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.
According to Chand's complaint, the attackers not only vandalised the church and looted its property, but also installed a statue of Hanuman after taking down the Cross and hoisted a flag depicting Lord Ram. Chand also claimed that they threatened to kill him.
The villagers and the VHP have alleged that Chand is constructing the church with the intention of converting local Hindus to Christianity. The villagers alleged that Chand is constructing the church, even though he had applied for land to construct a house for him.
Following the attack, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his "deep concern" and sought an immediate response on action being taken by the district authorities.
