Daijiworld Media Network – Puttur (SP)

Puttur, Jan 7: Mischief mongers tried to kick up trouble at Perabe Kuntoor Padavu near Kadaba in the taluk on the night of Thursday January 5. A seven-foot tall stone lamp of St Xavier’s Catholic Church there was found to have been damaged by unknown miscreants, when church governing council member, Michael O J, visited the church on Friday morning.

It appears that the trouble makers had used either hammer or iron rod to damage the lamp. Tyre marks near the site indicate to the possibility that the vandals had come to the spot in a motor bike. At the same time, they chose not to target a cross and the church, located near the site.

Church parish council members have expressed opinion that drunkards, or those who are aiming to vitiate the atmosphere of harmonious coexistence found in the region, were behind the act. They noted that people belonging to all religions have been living here happily together, and urged the policemen to find out the culprits behind the act and take legal action against them. Vicar general of Beltangady diocese and representative of the Bishop, Fr Jose Valia Parambil, visited the church.

The lamp now damaged was erected in front of the church about seven months ago, at the time of the blessing of the newly constructed church building. The stone lamp had been brought from Kerala, and devotees used to light the lamp after pouring oil every day. The locals said that a neighbouring boy had lighted the lamp on Thursday evening too.

Putur rural circle inspector of police, H Y Jagadish, and Kadaba sub-inspector, Nagaraj H E, visited the spot and collected information. Ray Abraham, a local leader of the Christian community and Congress, warned of organizing strong protest, if the guilty are not arrested at the earliest.