Question : SECURITY OF MINORITY COMMUNITY AND CHURCHES

(a) whether the Government has taken note of repeated/fresh incidents of attack on christian churches/religious institutions and minorities in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the total number of such cases reported, guilty arrested, convicted and the action taken against them during the last one year and the current year, crime-wise including sexual abuse of nuns and State-wise;

(c) whether the Government has directed the States to submit reports in this regard and if so, the details thereof, Statewise;

(d) whether the Government has conducted any inquiry in this regard and if so, the outcome of the inquiry, State-wise;

(e) whether the Government has received any directive from the National Human Rights Commission in this regard and if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government thereon; and

(f) the details of advisories issued to the States and Police depart- ments to stop such cases in future and also to provide compensation to damaged churches/religious institutions, security at Christian churches/religious institutions and ensure the safety and security of the minority community, particularly nuns in the country?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU) (a) to (f) “Public Order” and “Police” are State subjects as per the provisions of the Constitution of India. The responsibilities of maintaining law and order, registration, investigation and prosecution of crimes including religion related offences rest primarily with the respective State Governments. Details regarding such offences, persons arrested/convicted, action taken against them, extent of damages to property, compensation etc. are not maintained centrally. As regards the incidents of sexual abuse of nuns, an incident of assault on a nun in the Convent of Jesus and Mary School, Ranaghat, Gangnapur PS, District-Nadia, West Bengal was reported. As per report of the State Government, the investigation has been entrusted to CID. Two persons have reportedly been arrested. The National Human Rights Commission has informed that it issued suo- moto notices to the concerned agencies on the alleged incidents relating to churches in Delhi. As per report, Delhi Police have taken following steps for safety of religious places/institutions in the capital: -

(a) All the Churches have been identified and assessed for their security arrangements.

(b) These Churches have been depicted/plotted on a map for a holistic view.

(c) All the concerned officers specially DCPs and SHOs concerned have been directed to take care of security of these worship places.

(d) PCR Vans, ERVs and motorcycles patrol have been deployed around the Churches for enhanced security. At all vulnerable locations, static deployment is made during night hours.

(e) There are 240 Churches in Delhi. The DCP and police station staff have also been directed to make surprise visit to the Churches.

(f) The directors and management of these institutions have been requested to install CCTV cameras and deploy guards for the safety and security of these places. At present, 161 Churches have installed CCTV Cameras. 54 Churches have got installed CCTV cameras on the insistence of Police.

(g) Contact numbers of Coordinators of religious places have been exchanged with concerned police station staff.

(h) All field officers have been directed to keep a Visitors’ Register in each Church for making necessary entries by patrolling staff, in order to ensure proper patrolling.
(i) Local sources have been motivated to provide inputs for any such mischief well in advance.

(j) A new Facebook page “Minority Brethren” has been created by Delhi Police for posting problems related to any institution or school etc.

(k) DCP Sh. Joy Tirkey has been nominated as nodal officer for the redressal of the problems of minority community.

(l) The steps so taken for the security and safety of the Churches have been given wide publicity through media with an aim to reach the masses. State Governments are competent to deal with religion related offences under the extant provisions of laws. Central Government assists the State Governments and Union Territories Administration in a variety of ways like sharing of information, sending alert messages and advisories, deploying Central Armed Police Forces including the composite Rapid Action Force created specially to deal with communal situations to the concerned State Governments on specific requests and in the modernisation of the State Police Forces. In addition, the Central Government issues alerts and advisories on developments having bearing on communal harmony, share advance intelligence with the States and UTs. Central Government has issued the Communal Harmony Guidelines in 2008, which inter- alia laid down standing operating procedures to be put in place to deal with the situations arising out of communal violence.