Cops deployed at 160-year-old Hisar church after Bajrang Dal announces religious event on Christmas | Chandigarh News
Hisar: A day after Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal announced a religious event outside Hisar’s 160-year-old St Thomas Church on Christmas, heavy police force was deployed around the place of worship on Wednesday. A police spokesperson said Haryana Police’s Vajra vehicles and water cannons had stationed in the area as a precautionary measure.
Hisar police spokesperson Vikas Kumar said around 250 police personnel, including two DSPs, two inspectors, and 40–50 women police officers, had been deployed in and around Krantiman Park and the church premises. St Thomas Church peace and discipline committee chairman Victor David said police officials met him on Wednesday and assured security. He added the church’s programme at Krantiman Park would commence only after receiving instructions from the police administration.VHP and Bajrang Dal had, over the past week, put up posters across Hisar and near Krantiman Park, announcing a mass Hanuman Chalisa recitation and Mahayagna from 2pm to 5pm on Dec 25. Bajrang Dal national convener Kishan Prajapati and VHP state organisation functionary Radheshyam Kranti are scheduled to attend the programme. The church, meanwhile, has also been organising a programme open to people of all faiths at Krantiman Park every year on Christmas Day.In view of the right-wing groups’ announcement, a delegation of Action Against Hate, an organisation of concerned citizens, had on Tuesday met MC commissioner Neeraj Kumar and superintendent of police Shashank Kumar Sawan, who assured them of appropriate administrative action.Later, the Civil Lines police station in-charge issued notices to Amar (Kameri village), Sanjeev Chauhan (12 Quarters), Kapil Vats (Indira Colony), and Praveen Lahoria (Lahoria Chowk)—stated to be organisers or associates—informing them that no permission had been obtained from the district administration for the proposed event.However, VHP district harmony chief Kapil Vats claimed that permission was sought from the SDM, who referred the matter to the Civil Lines police station, from where permission was allegedly granted as per rules.Police and district administration officials said the situation is being closely monitored to ensure peace, public order, and communal harmony.
