NEW DELHI Police have arrested 12 villagers for attacking a Catholic priest in the eastern Indian state of Orissa for refusing to give them permission to graze their cattle in his churchyard, reports said Wednesday. The United News of India (UNI) news agency quoted police officials as saying the incident took place on Monday in Beticola village in Kandhamal district. Officials said about 15 villagers tried to bring their cattle to graze in the church ground when Priest Lameswar Kanhar along with a church cook tried to stop them.
In the altercation, the priest sustained injuries. He was initially admitted to a local hospital.
(DPA)