Police Making No Arrests in Manjeshwar Church Attack, Catholic Sabha Plans Hunger Strike
Manjeshwar: Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Kasaragod Press Club, Rolphy D’costa-the president of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh said “It sad to note that even after a month, the police have failed to arrest the accused in the attack on Our Lady of Mercy Church Manjeshwar which took place few weeks ago. If the culprits are not arrested soon, hunger protest will be held in front of the offices of Dakshina Kannada Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police. Justice needs to be served to the public by arresting the culprits who have attacked the church. If this demand is not met, after a day’s fast protest, fast unto death will be held in front of the DC and SP office of the district”.
D’costa further said, “The police, who arrived on the spot immediately after the attack had promised to arrest the hooligans within 24 hours. However, even after a month they are unable to trace them. All the leaders of political parties, regardless of caste and political affiliation had condemned the attack. Christians of the diocese had taken a huge protest march from Manjeshwar Block office to Hosangadi pressurizing the police to arrest the accused, but all our efforts has been in vain since no positive results have been shown from the police side”
“In addition to the protest march, appeals were submitted to State Revenue Minister E Chandrashekharan and Kasaragod MLA N A Nellikunnu. In spite of all these efforts there has been no action taken by the concerned authorities and not yield any positive results. Therefore we have decided to hold a hunger strike until justice is served, and the culprits are nabbed soon ” added Rolphy D’costa.
Fr Vincent Vinod Saldanha- Parish Priest of Manjeshwar Church, Fr C L Varghese- Parish priest of Pavoor church; Fr John Vas- Parish Priest of Bela Church; Raju Stephen Kumbla-President of Catholic Sabha-Kasargod; and Ms Jeane Lovina Monteiro-President of Manjeshwar Church Parish Council; and Derrick Monteiro-the media coordinator were present during the press meet.
Report submitted by : Derrick Monteiro
