from Bosco Information Service (BIS) out of Mumbai

AlLIRAJPUR, December 31, 2003: A gang of eight people wearing masks attacked and beat Mr. Devji, a 22 year old Catholic animator of village schools, from the Don Bosco Parish, Alirajpur in Madhya Pradesh (M.P.) yesterday. Devji was returning from one of the village mass stations called Sondwa after informing the teachers about a 'teachers gathering' which is to be held on January 5, 2004.

The incident occured when some nuns from Ranapur a place in M.P. went to visit the Mass station at Sondwa in a jeep and whom Devji followed on the motorbike. On their return, at around 4 p.m., the jeep raced ahead and Devji continued his journey when 17 kms. away from Alirajpur, the incident occured. The Parish Priest, Fr. Stanny Ferreira went to file a report at the police station in Alirajpur but they refused to note it down. Alirajpur has a Catholic community of approximately 100 faithful. This incident is being seen as an attempt by saffron brigade to discourage people from supporting the development work being done by the salesians in that area. The Salesians have taken up a Watershed development project for the upliftment of the Bhils, a tribal community, which made much good news for the people some months ago.

Recently, another attack was carried out close to Don Bosco School in Alirajpur where a muslim woman was killed. A BJP government was elected in M.P. during the assembly elections that took place in the begining of this month.

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