From correspondents in Delhi, India, 09:32 PM IST

A three-member team of National Commission for Minorities (NCM) headed by chairman Mohammad Shafi Qureshi will visit Karnataka's communal violence-hit districts Wednesday.

The team will visit Bangalore, Mangalore and other violence-marred districts affected by clashes between Christians and the right wing Hindu groups to take first hand stock of the situation in the state, NCM member Harcharan Singh Josh told IANS here.

'The panel will districts where churches were attacked allegedly by Bajrang Dal activists,' Josh said.

On Sunday, churches and prayer halls in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi districts in Karnataka were attacked by suspected Bajrang Dal activists, who alleged that the churches were enticing Hindus to convert to Christianity. Mangalore, the headquarters of Dakshina Kannada, remained shut Tuesday over communal violence that followed.

The team will also meet Karnataka Governor Rameshwar Thakur, Chief Minister B.S. Yeddyurappa and the people affected during attacks on churches.

Almost 100 people were arrested Monday after Christians clashed with right wing Hindu groups and police, reacting to earlier attacks on Sunday.

(Staff Writer, © IANS)