Deogarh (Orissa): Tension prevailed in the Western Orissa town of Deogarh today (Nov 21) after a catholic church was attacked allegedly by a group of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Bajrang Dal activists.

Police said the saffron brigade, who had earlier demonstrated outside the district collector's residence and burnt some Christian literature, entered the church premises at Rajamunda and abused a nun yesterday.

They also damaged some glass panes.

Police said the activists had first gone to Amulpani, a village under Tileibani block, about 17 kms from Deogarh to inquire about four conversions, which had allegedly taken place in the village since last year.

They then moved to Jhareikela, another village near the block headquarters where they entered the house of a Christian preacher and ransacked it. They also took away some Christian literature from his house.

Two cases under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) had been registered following the incidents and police patrolling had been intensified in the town and the two villages. But no arrests had been made.

Meanwhile, Subash Chouhan, state convenor of the Bajrang Dal, denied that activists of the saffron outfits were involved in the incidents.

PTI