Coimbatore: A group of Hindu radicals has damaged a newly constructed church in Coimbatore district of Tamil Nadu.
The March 12 incident has led to tension in Kalapetty area.
Rightwing Hindu groups have been opposing the construction of the place of worship belonging to the Church of South India.
A small church existed on a 25-cent plot since 1948. A temple is located near.
The Protestant Christians built a bigger church with permission from the district collector.
Some Hindu radicals in Coimbatore then moved a local court to stop the church construction. The church authorities obtained permission from the Madras High Court to build the church.
The high court had instructed the police to give protection to the church.
The church was dedicated on March 9 amid protests from members of the Hindu outfit, who are said to be outsiders.
On March 12, a group of 15 people pushed away the policemen on guard, damaged the church’s compound wall, main door, furniture and the altar.