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23 held for attacks on
Christians in Orissa: PTI

While 12 people were arrested in connection with the assault on Lameswar Kanhar, a priest at a church at Betikolar village under Udayagiri police station, and his cook last Monday, 11 were arrested for involvement in attacks on four prayer houses in Baliguda sub-division of the district in the first week of this month.

Kanhar and his cook were assaulted by people following an altercation over grazing of cows inside the church premises where vegetables were grown.

The two had been admitted to the district headquarters hospital for treatment.

Armed policemen had been deployed near the church as a precautionary measure.

The incidents had led to an escalation of tension in the district.

Two prayer houses, belonging to the Roman Catholics and Baptists, were vandalised at Sindhipankala village under Tumudibandh police station and another place of worship attacked at Lankagarh under Belghar police station on October 3. A prayer house at Ramgiri village under Belghar police station was attacked on October 4.

Deputy inspector general of police (southern range) B N Hota and district superintendent of police P S Ranapise are camping at Betikolar village, the sources said.

Bail petitions of the 23 have been rejected by the sub-divisional judicial magistrate and they have been remanded to judicial custody.

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