Since New Life does not have churches with religious symbols and statues and operate from inconspicuous prayer halls, Catholics have become the saffron outfit’s soft target.

Pastor Don Menezes, who heads New Life in Mangalore, justified his mission. “We have not forced anyone to join our sect. Many have joined the Protestant groups including New Life after they were attracted by the gospel. Some people accepted the gospel, while others rejected,” he said referring to conversions.

He said the evangelical mission would not be cowed down by the attacks on the prayer halls.

New Life is a Pentecostal group which targets disgruntled elements in Catholic Church and other Christian denominations. They also lure poor Hindus to their fold by offering them financial assistance. It has no clergy at its head, but only a few pastors to run the show.

Says Menezes: “We have a couple of prayer halls where the faithful meet regularly to worship. In places where we do not own halls, prayer sessions are held at auditoriums and rented premises.”

Karnataka CM vows to show ‘iron hand’

Mangalore: Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, who visited coastal Karnataka on Monday, said his government was committed to maintaining peace and harmony. “Anti-social elements have been trying to foment communal tension in the state. Such attempts would be dealt with an iron hand,” he said. He added that the government would not tolerate attempts to block roads and disrupt normal life in the name of the agitation.