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Country-made bombs and stones were thrown into a church in Lakhimpur Kheri district Saturday night, police said.
Some bike-borne men reportedly threw the “sutli” bombs and stones at Christ Church in Kotwali police station area. The bombs landed inside the church. One of them exploded, damaging window panes and furniture.
According to the church authorities, Sunday mass was performed on the pavement as people were “afraid” to go inside.
SP City (Lakhimpur Kheri) DM Chaudhary told The Indian Express that something that “looks like a bomb” was thrown inside the church. “It’s a mischievous act. We have sent the object for testing to verify its kind and intensity,” he added.
“We have lodged an FIR against unidentified men under Section 295 of IPC (injuring or defiling place of worship with intent to insult the religion) and Explosives Act. Interrogation is being done to identify the accused,” said SHO Kotwali Ramveer Chaudhary.
According to Sureel Loyal, the church’s property officer, two bombs were thrown inside the church around midnight. He alleged that the police did not respond to their calls, prompting them to call the local MP and MLA. “We mentioned in our complaint to the police that we made multiple calls to 100 and the SSP’s official mobile phone from 7 am to 9 am, but no one responded,” he added.
Ajay Mishra alias Teni, BJP MP from Lakhimpur Kheri, said,“I called up the SSP and DM and ensured action. I will meet the Father tomorrow,” he added.