New Delhi, Sept 16 : A team of National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has been appointed by the Centre to make an on the spot assessment of the attacks on churches and prayer halls in different parts of Karnataka.

The team led by its Chairman Mohammed Shafi Qureshi will visit all churches damaged in the attacks in Udupi, Chikmagalur, and Dakshina Kannada districts of the state. It will also visit Mangalore.

Before leaving for Mangalore, Qureshi said, "We strongly condemn the violence against Christian minorities in Karnataka. This has to stop immediately."

Mangalore, Sept 16 : The situation in troubled areas of Mangalore continues to remain tense today after attacks on churches and prayer halls by suspected Bajrang Dal activists.

Most shops, business establishments, schools and colleges remained closed today.

Police are maintaining a tight vigil in all areas. Over 50 suspected Bajrang Dal activists have been arrested in the three districts of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Chikmagalur.

The clash took place despite prohibitory orders banning assembly of more than five people clamped by police in the city on Sunday for three days as a precautionary measure.

Bangalore, Sept 15 : Karnataka Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa on Monday urged Christian missionaries not to indulge in forcible conversion, as it is unacceptable in a democracy.

Yeddyurappa said, "There is no room for forcible conversion in democracy. No one should indulge in it."

The Karnataka Chief Minister appealed to people to maintain calm and asserted that action would be taken against those responsible for the attacks on churches in Mangalore, Udupi and Chikmagalur.

Mangalore/Bangalore, Sept 15 : Karnataka police dispersed clashing groups of people as situation continued to remain tense for the second day on Monday over the attack on churches in Mangalore.

Activists of Bajrang Dal are reportedly suspected to be involved in the attacks on at least nine churches during Sunday mass at various places in Karnataka, protesting against alleged conversion of Hindus into Christianity.

Mangalore, Sept 15 : Though the situation remains peaceful a day after attacks on eighteen churches and prayer halls in Mangalore, Udipi and Chikmaglur Districts of Karnataka, prohibitory orders under Section 144 have been imposed for three days in Mangalore.

Twenty five people including 12 policemen and three journalists were injured in violent protests on Sunday in incidents of stone-throwing by suspected Bajrang Dal activists, who were protesting against alleged conversion of Hindus to Christianity.

The chief minister of Karnataka, B S Yeddyurappa does not like the Bengaluru International Airport (BIA). The CM commented on the BIA on his return from US, after attending the world Kannada conference. The CM termed Bengaluru airport as low quality as compared to airports in the US.

He said that the state has received the airport after a wait of about 12 years but the authorities have failed to fulfill the aspirations of the people of the state. He confessed it after the celebrations of his 100 days in office on Tuesday.