Christians fear further extremist attacks despite ringleader's arrest in Nepal

(September 19, 2009) Christians in Nepal are cautiously relieved after the arrest of Hindu extremist leader Ram Prasad Mainali but many believe a lull in attacks on them and other non-Hindus may only be temporary Mainali, the chief of the shadowy Hindu group called Nepal Defense Army (NDA) that took responsibility for bombing the Church of the Assumption in Kathmandu, was arrested by the police on September 5 along with three accomplices. President of the Nepal Catholic Society, Binod Gurung, said on September16 that the arrest was a relief. "We hope Christians in Nepal will not be attacked and threatened in the future," he said. Bishop Anthony Sharma, apostolic vicar of Nepal, informed that the church bombing and the subsequent arrests have given more publicity to the small Catholic community in Nepal, while they have had a "negative effect" on the Hindu community. "This will negatively affect the country and the country's new-found secularism," he added. The Jesuit prelate also expressed his desire to meet Mainali "if possible" and ask him why he targeted us Christians. Mainali was arrested early in 2008 but released on bail soon after. Protestant Bishop Narayan Sharma of the Believers' Church said that although the arrest may bring relief to Christians, many still believe that persecution in Nepal will not end.