13 Jun 2005

Temple attacks are religious intimidation says Hindu organistaion

7:13 pm on 13 June 2005

A large Hindu organisation in Fiji says the increasing attacks on temples in recent years are seen as religious intimidation.

The concern has been expressed by the Arya Pratinidhi Sabha after official police statistics revealed that there have been 149 attacks on places of worship between 2001 and April this year.

Of these over 100 were on Hindu temples and only three cases have been prosecuted.

The president of the organisation, Kamlesh Arya, says these attacks are seen as religious intimidation because of the method of entry, the extent of physical destruction and violation of religious texts.

Mr Arya says these sorts of actions build a public perception of subtle religious persecution.

Mr Arya has dismissed police statements that these were opportunity thefts and called on law enforcement agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.