NCM seeks report on pastor attack 

New Delhi : The National Commission for Minorities sought a report from the BJP-ruled Rajasthan government on the attack on a pastor by suspected VHP and Bajrang Dal activists in Jaipur on Monday following reports that a pastor was beaten up just after worship service was over. “We have taken SLIO motu notice of news reports about the attack on Pastor  Walter Masih. We have asked for an official report from the Rajasthan government about the incident,” NCM chief Hamid Ansari said. Pastor Masih had to be hospitalised after masked men barged into his home-cum-church in Jaipur and beat him up with sticks mercilessly on Sunday. Last year, the NCM ordered a series of inquiries in different states into complaints of violence and bias against religious minorities.  Teams of the minorities' rights watchdog were sent to Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Rajasthan, HP and Gujarat and their reports submitted to the Center. Five persons were arrested on Monday in connection with the attack on a pastor here for allegedly preaching Christianity. According to reports, Walter Masih was severely assaulted here for allegedly preaching in his house-cum-church on Sunday. "On Monday, five persons were arrested in this connection by our team of police officials.'' said circle officer, Sodala, Mr Rakesh Puri. He did not disclose the identity of the arrested accused. Asked about media reports that the attack was carried out allegedly by VHP and Bajrang Dal activists, he said the affiliation of the accused persons to any group or party will be clear only after their interrogation.  In the FIR, The pastor had alleged that the youth entered his house and thrashed him.  

(Source-Asian Age ND 1/4/2007)