The ministry’s immediate concern was to create an atmosphere of safety and security to the people, Acharya said.

e also came down heavily on forcible conversion and enticing people to get them converted and dubbed it as an offence. He also called for ban on the New Life Organisation, which has been the target of attack following allegations that the organisation was indulging in forcible conversions.

He said a peace meet would be convened this evening to enable people to air their views.

In Kolar, Religious Endowment Minister Krishnaiah Shetty visited the site and held a peace meeting. He directed the local administration to repair and restore the damaged statue, that was nearly eight decades old.

The local Christian groups staged a protest and submitted a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner.