Mob Attacks Catholic Church

(UPI) – A mob of 300 people attacked a Catholic church Thursday in the town of Raikia in India ‘s eastern Orissa state, smashing statues and burning icons. The mob broke into the church and smashed statues of angels and the Virgin Mary, as well as glass panes in doors and windows, a police officer told the Press Trust of India. A truck parked outside the church was set ablaze, he said. The attackers also carried pictures and garments from the church and set them afire outside, a church leader said. The incident occurred Thursday afternoon after Christians had protested the removal of a fence surrounding the church premises. Some locals had removed the fence in order to plant trees. A platoon of armed police was deployed to the church, where the situation remained tense but under control, the police officer said.