Communal violence continued to haunt Mangalore on Monday, with fresh incidents of violence being reported from the coastal city.
On Sunday, right wing Hindu activists had allegedly desecrated churches and places of worship, claiming that Christian missionaries were indulging in conversions.
On Monday, members of the Christian community took out a rally to protest the violence.
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The protest rally began on a peaceful note, but turned violent at the Holy Cross Church in Kulashekar, when a group of protestors began pelting stones at passers-by. In a bid to control the mob, the police resorted to lathi charge and also lobbed tear gas shells.
The incident turned uglier when a group of masked men desecrated a statue of St Antony near Bejai in Mangalore. However, Udupi and Chickmagalur, which had witnessed similar incidents of violence on Sunday, remained calm on Monday.
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Two persons were reportedly stabbed, but neither has been identified. While the first incident occurred in Kuloor, the second took place in Kodailbail.
Meanwhile, several Christian leaders met Deputy Commissioner of Police Hemalatha and submitted a memorandum, urging her to ensure protection of the community. The DCP assured them that adequate steps would be taken to ensure their security.
