Siliguri (AsiaNews) – A grenade attack that killed five Hindus and injured another 40 as they prayed in the temple of Krishna in Manipur "is a concrete sign of blind hatred, a violent attack on shared values of love and coexistence that should be unreservedly condemned by all who love peace."

Talking to AsiaNews, this is how Christian leaders of the north-eastern state described the attack on 16 August against the Hindu community gathered for prayer in the temple of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness, where devotees light special votive lamps.

"It is a cowardly and inhuman act and deserves the worst condemnation. We are shocked and praying that this insane violence will stop as soon as possible," said Kungsong Wangbe, a pastor of the local Adventist Church.

John Shimray, a Catholic social activist, added: "The logic of killing and injuring innocent devotees of any faith engaged in prayer is beyond comprehension. The aim is simply to trigger sectarian violence in the state but this cannot be allowed. We must all condemn this cult of violence and not fall into the trap."
Shimray continued: "The seven northeastern Indian states are already caught up in a whirlpool of violence. Those who perpetrate it may try to justify it by citing political reasons but certainly not religious ones. No god forgives those who shed innocent blood."

Manu Das, a Hindu priest working at the temple, said: "We are grateful towards all those who have expressed their solidarity with us at this time and who joined us in a sit-in protest against this diabolical act."

The identity or motivations of the perpetrators are still unknown but police are focusing their investigations on organizations struggling for Manipur's independence from India. The state has around two million inhabitants and 19 separatist organizations.