Gonikoppa (Mercara): Eight Coolie Workers of Combeda Uttappa Coffee Estate in Gonikoppa near Mercara, living in the Estate Lines at Sixtt Vokkal Village, began their evening prayers as usual in the evening at about 8.00 p.m. on Wednesday, 8-12-10. But unfortunately they could not continue with their prayers, as a group of 10 Bajranga Dal activists forcibly entered their house and began mercilessly beating them without any rhyme or reason. They hurled abuse at them in the foulest of language and dragged them on the public road and forcibly took them to the Gonilkoppa Police Station.

The unfortunate victims are- Raju and his wife Kaliamma and the neighbor Rajukamma; Belli, his wife Lovaliamma, their two grown-up children and a brother Viji and a small child. The Hindu fanatics hailing from Tithimathi, Baleyele and Gonikoppa are - Manu, the leader of the gang, and his close associates, Devaraj and Manju and 7 more Bajrang Dal activists. Belli and Viji, who were profusely bleeding, were taken to the Gonikoppa Government Hospital and treated there. It is also learnt that Belli is unable to pass urine as they had repeatedly kicked him at his private parts. A small innocent child, we understand, was simply lifted up and flung to the ground, but miraculously the child has survived without any injuries. All the believers are regular church-goers and they belong to the Shakina Full Gospel Church at Hunsur.
The police on realizing the innocence of the victims did not take any action against them, but let them go, though the Hindu fanatics seemed to have tried to force the police to charge the believers on the false allegations that they were trying for conversion. Unfortunately, also the police did not take any action against the rabid fanatics though they had attacked on innocent and long standing Christians, simply for saying their evening prayers in their own houses.
The worst is that the police also supposed to have advised these poor victims in their own interests, to stop praying in their own houses in the future, as they are helpless to give any protection, if any untoward incidents were to take place. Incidentally, six months ago, this very leader of the fanatic gang, Manu, with the help a few of his friends had 11 pastors arrested and lodged in the Madikeri Jail for a week. Those pastors, we were told, had gathered in one of the Christian houses, for one of their regular meetings.