Mangalore 25th Feb: In an another case of disturbing communal peace in the coastal city, unidentified miscreants targeted St. Joseph’s church, Deralakatte on the outskirts of the city here on Tuesday night. This follows the church attacks in New Delhi. 

The window panes and door of the St Joseph Church were damaged but the statues within remained untouched. The church, located beside a graveyard in an isolated place, is 250 years old and was renovated 10 to 15 years ago.

The incident came to light when the church authorities noticed some broken window panes and damaged doors the next morning.

Fr. Vincent, Parish priest of the church told newskarnataka that the miscreants pelted stones on the statue of Mother Mary placed outside the old chapel, which is named after St. Joseph Vaz.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Minister UT Khader said that the church was attacked by some ‘anti-social elements’ and assured that culprits will be brought to book very soon.

“Some anti-social elements threw a stone and damaged the glass of a statue to create insecurity and panic in society,” Khader said.

This incident took place just few days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi vowed to protect all religious groups. His comments were seen as a response to a series of attacks on churches in capital in last three months.