Karnataka, Christians most affected in surge in ethnic and religious violence.
by Nirmala Carvalho
A report by the Ministry of Internal Affairs says that in the last three years there have been 222 episodes. The figure makes Karnataka the worst of the Southern States, and the fourth in whole country . President of the Global Council of Indian Christians ( GCIC ) : "At least 150 cases involving Christians. Police connivance grave". Most of the crime is concentrated in rural areas.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) - Among the southern states of India, Karnataka is the worst in terms of ethnic or religious motivated violence, as has been revealed in a report by the Ministry of Internal Affairs , according to which in the last three years there have been 222 episodes. Most of this violence has affected the Christian community. " The Global Council of Indian Christians ( GCIC ) - Sajan George , president of the organization tells AsiaNews - has reported 150 incidents against the minority in the last three years, including more than 40 in 2013 ."

On a national scale, Karnataka is in fourth place after Uttar Pradesh (347 cases) , Maharashtra (326) and Madhya Pradesh (299) . In the southern region instead it is followed by Kerala (126), Andhra Pradesh (114) and Tamil Nadu (86 ) . The study presents the number of accidents that occurred in the Indian state distributed per year: in 2010 there were 71, 70 in 2011 , 69 in 2012 , 12 in the first quarter of 2013 .

According to Sajan George , the report "does not address the indifference of the State before the growing climate of intolerance towards religious minorities . Central and state governments have failed in implementing rules to curb the perpetrators of these crimes. At the same time, it is unacceptable hear about 'impartial' police officers when some agents apply excessive use of force against the Christians".

Sajan George also revealed, "now the perpetrators of these attacks are concentrated in villages and rural and remote areas, where it is easier to stir up tensions between communities because policies are more lax and there is a lower level of education ."