Friday, January 21 2005 12:31 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Bangalore: Stray incidents of stone throwing were reported in some parts of the city this morning (Jan 21, 2005) during the Bangalore bandh called by Hindu Jagarana Vedike to protest against controversial American evangelist Benny Hinn's three-day programme beginning in Bangalore.

Police said stones were thrown at passing buses in some parts of the city where the bandh had evoked a fair response with shops and other commercial establishments closed.

Normal life however by and large remained unaffected in Bangalore.

"Barring seven or eight stone throwing incidents, the situation is peaceful," city police commissioner Mariswamy said.

BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and the Sangh Parivar outfits, supported by some local organisations, have been campaigning against Hinn's programme alleging that it was aimed at religious conversion, a charge the organisers have denied.

Jakkur airfield, the venue of the programme beginning this evening, has been converted into a high-security zone, with police throwing a thick security blanket around it.

Decks for Hinn's programme were cleared yesterday when the High Court refused to grant a stay on it, observing that there was absolutely no prima facie satisfactory material on the basis of which an opinion could be formed at this stage that the organisers had a hidden agenda to convert people to Christianity by force.

The Karnataka Government has rejected the demand by BJP and Sangh Parivar outfits to ban the event. It is still not clear whether Chief Minister N Dharam Singh would attend the programme.