CM assures Bishops’ delegation on withdrawal of cases against Christian youth

CM assures Bishops’ delegation on withdrawal of cases against Christian youth

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangalore, Oct 29, 2011 : CM D. V. Sadananda Gowda promised a delegation of Karnataka bishops led by the archbishop of Bangalore that he will personally write a letter on the status of withdrawal of cases against Christian youth, registered following the church attacks of 2008, by Saturday.

 

 

 

It may be recalled that the CM had promised Bangalore Archbishop Dr. Bernard Moras and Mangalore Bishop Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza that he will get the cases withdrawn at the earliest possible when they approached him as soon as he took over as the CM.

Dr. Moras, who is also the president of Karnataka Region Bishops’ Council and the chairman of the Karnataka United Christian Forum for Human Rights, demanded that the cases should be withdrawn at the earliest possible because 150 innocent youth are forced visit courts and undergo police investigation.

The archbishop reminded the CM that Home Minister R. Ashok had consulted with CM B. S. Yeddyurappa and promised that the procedure of withdrawal will be accelerated and that action will be taken within 45 days, but no action has been taken so far. He urged the CM to introduce the issue in the state cabinet meeting so that steps can be taken immediately.

Stating that he understands the anguish of the Christian community, the CM said that the withdrawal procedure takes time because the police report has to be vetted by the director of prosecutions and the state cabinet has to take a final decision on the matter.

Krishna Palemar, the district-in-charge minister, and MLA Derrick Fullinfaw were also present.

The CM also said that the proposed Christian Minority Development Council, which will have powers to allocate funds for the development of the Christian community, will be set up within a week. Christian representatives from Hubli, Mangalore, Bangalore, and other cities will be appointed to this council, he added.