Police burst teargas shells and made a cane-charge to disperse the members of the Christian community after their protest against attacks on prayer halls in the state allegedly turned violent.

Miscreants attack 14 churches in Karnataka

Protesters pelted stones at the police near Kulasekhara church in Mangalore, said police adding that they burst teargas shells and used cane-charge to disperse the crowd.

Police could not provide details about the number of injured in the incident.

Similar protests have also been reported from Shaktinagar, Vamanjur, Tokkotu and Bantwal, police said. Situation was tense in the city as several shops and business establishments remained closed fearing violence.

However, the situation in the neighbouring Udupi district, which witnessed attack on prayers halls on Sunday, remained peaceful, police said.

No untoward incidents have been reported from Chikmagalur district, the sources said.

Nine churches in Dakshina Kannada and three each in Udupi and Chikmagalur districts were attacked on Sunday.