Day after attack on priest, church closed; probe on

Gurgaon: The makeshift church in Kherki Daula, where 15-20 men had allegedly barged in last weekend and assaulted the priest, was closed on Monday. Police said the priest had taken the plot, just 200 metres from the Kherki Daula toll plaza, on rent to set up a tin-roofed church last year. The priest told cops that the accused came into the church during afternoon prayers on Sunday, “manhandled him” and pressured him to close the church. He alleged that the men belonged to a right-wing group.
The priest could not be reached for comment till Monday evening. Based on his complaint, an FIR was registered against 20 unidentified accused under sections 147 (rioting), 149 (unlawful assembly), 295-A (whoever, with deliberate and malicious intention of outraging the religious feelings), 323 (voluntarily causes hurt), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC.
“Our teams visited the area on Monday. The situation is under control, and no one will be allowed to breach law and order. We are also checking CCTV footage to know what had happened and to identify the accused. Teams have been formed to nab the accused,” said Gurgaon police spokesperson Subhash Boken.
Residents living in the vicinity said they hadn’t noticed anything amiss.
“We are investigating the matter from all angles. Those guilty will be punished,” the police spokesperson added.