US watching progress, police arrest another 3

The United States has condemned Monday’s attack on American missionary Joseph Cooper by suspected RSS activists with swords, sticks and...

The United States has condemned Monday’s attack on American missionary Joseph Cooper by suspected RSS activists with swords, sticks and crowbars in Kerala and appreciated the prompt police action in tracking down the assailants.

A State Department official said the US Consulate in Chennai has met the state authorities and also contacted Cooper. ‘‘We condemn this attack and appreciate the prompt response of Indian police and authorities to capture the perpetrators,’’ the official said .

‘‘Indian police officials have told our Consulate that three of the assailants have been identified and one arrested,’’ he added.

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Police today arrested three more persons, all RSS functionaries, in connection with the attack. The arrests of Shaji, the Seva Pramukh of the local shakha, Shaiju, Mandal Karyavah, and Shan, brother of Shaji, were ‘‘recorded’’ this morning and they have been detained for interrogation since Tuesday evening. Shaji had allegedly asked Cooper to stop preaching at Puliyam on the day of the incident.

The police said they are on the lookout for a key suspect in the case, registered under Section 307 of the IPC and also Explosive Act and rioting. One Raju had been arrested and remanded to custody yesterday.

While most political parties and Christian bodies have condemned the attack, the RSS denied having any role in it.

The 60-year-old Protestant missionary from Newcastle and a team of local evangelists were attacked on Monday night on their way from a prayer meeting at Koppam near Kilimannur. Cooper suffered a deep cut in his palm and had to undergo surgery.

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Pastor Benson K. Sam, also hospitalised for injuries, said the condition of Cooper had improved and was expected to be shifted from the ICU later in the day.

The residents of Puliyam are yet to come to terms with the attack. More than the attack, it is the people who were behind it that has shocked them. Situated on a high range amid rubber plantation, the colony has only 20-odd houses with a population of around 150.

There has not been a single conversion in the area for years and all families belong to the Vedan community whose forefathers had embraced Christianity. ‘‘I can’t to understand why they attacked us. There was no provocation,’’ said Binu, a rubber tapper.