Lucknow: In a twist to Agra church attack case, a rickshaw puller was on Friday arrested for allegedly vandalising the place of worship after being spurned by a Christian girl. Haider Ali, in his 20s, was picked up from Agra for attacking the St Mary's Church in Agra Cantonment area in the wee hours on April 16, an official release said here. The incident was a fallout of Haider's love for the girl, also in her 20s, who used to light candles in the church.
During interrogation, the accused told police that he wanted to marry the girl and take her to Delhi. Ali said that he used to pick up the girl from outside the church. Ali also said that he used to visit certain places with the girl and drop her at the church later, the police claimed.
Before the incident, the girl had refused to marry the rickshaw puller and did not meet him for 10-15 days, citing the difference in their faiths. To this Ali got agitated and on April 16 vandalised the place of worship after consuming liquor and drugs.
An FIR was registered at Rakabganj police station against unknown persons after two statues on the church premises were found damaged.
The police team that worked out the case has been awarded Rs 15,000 by IG (Agra Zone) and Rs 5,000 by SSP, Agra.
The incident had triggered outrage among the members of the Christian community. Hindu right wing forces were earlier blamed for the attack.
Christian educational and health institutions in the state capital remained shut yesterday as the community members staged 'dharna' to protest attacks on them across the country.
The community members held the 'dharna' at GPO crossing in Hazrataganj to protest the atrocities being carried out on them and the recent attack on an Agra Church.
They displayed placards that read, "stop atrocities, against Christians" and "we have a right to worship and practise our faith".
