New Delhi:  Two men allegedly forced their way into a church in outer Delhi’s Begampur and threatened the priest and worshippers during the mass last Sunday. Police have now arrested them.

Some time ago, the church was under police protection after it was vandalised by miscreants. The cover was lifted after the authorities decided that there was no further threat.

The police have arrested the men. The incident took place around 10am at the Christ Blessing Church in A Block when the priest was holding a mass.

A few seemingly drunk men entered the building and started hurling abuses. According to the complainant Manoj Kumar, two men, later identified as Yogender Mathur and Deepak Sharma, threatened them with dire consequences if they didn’t stop holding mass at the church.

After the people gathered at the church forced the miscreants to leave, they registered a complaint at the Begumpur police station.

Kumar said similar incidents had occurred twice in the past and a beat constable was deployed. However, as there was no trouble for some time, the cover was lifted.

Police said a case under Section 295 A (act intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion) and 296 IPC (disturbing a religious assembly) had been registered.

DCP (outer) M N Tewari said 10 teams were formed to track the accused and the CCTV footage was scanned to identify them. They were later arrested from A Block.

The accused reportedly admitted to indulging in an act of vandalism. Tewari said during investigation it was found that the duo was trying to vitiate the atmosphere in the area. But there was no evidence to show their allegiance to any group, he said.

  Christian, persecution