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Kashmir Christians given security
Kashmir Christians given security
Author:
Publication: Indian Currents
Date: October 20, 2002
Government agencies have placed
church institutions in the Kashmir Valley under special security and urged
Christians to restrict their movement after mobs staged protests in the
northern Indian region. The moves came after separatists in the Muslim-dominated
area protested remarks against Prophet Muhammad attributed to an American
Baptist minister Groups of Muslims blocked roads and forced shops and businesses
to close Oct. 7 in Srinagar, capital of Jammu and Kashmir state, after
news reports Oct. 3 quoted Reverend Jerry Falwell as saying Muhammad was
a terrorist. In a TV news program, Reverend Falwell reportedly said he
had read enough Muslim and non-Muslim writers to decide that Muhammad "was
a violent man, a man of war." He also reportedly said, "I think Muhammad
was a terrorist."
As reports spread and tension mounted,
Sunday Mass on Oct. 6 at Holy Family Church in Srinagar took place "under
a thick shadow of guns," Bishop Peter Celestine EIampassery of Jammu-Srinagar
told UCA News Oct. 8. "probably it was the first time we had such security,"
said the Capuchin bishop, whose diocesan territory covers the entire state,
where more than 70,000 people have died since armed Muslim insurgency broke
out in 1989.
He added that a ceremony to la the
foundation stone of a convent building Oct. 7 in Srinagar had been conducted
under tight security "because of warnings" from security forces. Father
Jose Vadakkel, principal of St. Joseph's School in Baramulla, says police
used tear gas to disperse protesters a few meteres from the school. Baramulla,
in the heart of the Kashmir Valley, is traditionally considered a stronghold
of the Muslim insurgents, who demand independence from India.
Father Vadakkel said nuns and priests
there have "not stepped out for so many days" on the advice of police.
"We are being careful," he said, adding that police have given similar
advice to Church workers in Srinagar (UCAN)
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