Concern in Lok Sabha over second incident of attack on Delhi church

NEW DELHI: Members in Lok Sabha today expressed serious concern over the second incident of attack on a church in Delhi in the recent past, with the government saying a thorough probe would be ordered.

"Maintaining communal harmony is the top priority of the government. ... As far as the latest incident is concerned, I would urge the members to provide more information and we will get a thorough investigation done," Home Minister Rajnath Singh said as a Congress member raised the issue during Zero Hour.

Singh said he had set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the suspected burning down of a church in Dilshad Garden area of east Delhi in the beginning of this month, with the SIT being asked to complete its investigation in a time-bound manner.

He made the statement after Anto Antony (Cong) said a church in Jasola area was attacked a few days ago, making it the second such target in less than a fortnight.

The matter was also raised by E Ahamed (IUML) who termed it as a "very serious matter".

"Had those behind the Dilshad Garden church (incident) been arrested by now, then the latest attack (in Jasola) would not have happened," Antony said.