Daijiworld Media Network - Piravom (SR)

Piravom, Sep 25: With the Supreme Court’s verdict of giving the control of the Pirovom church to the Orthodox faction, the ongoing feud between the Orthodox and Jacobite faction has reached to the next level and tension prevails at the church compound. The police have decided to implement the order and around 700 policemen are camping around the church with water canons and barricades.

Though the police have decided to allow the Orthodox faction to enter the church on Wednesday morning, the Jacobite faction had already camped inside the church the previous day and started protesting by closing the main gates. They have informed that they will not allow the Orthodox faction to enter the church at any cost.

The protesters of Jacobite faction, including aged women and others are still inside the church along with Jacobite Syrian Christian Church regional head Catholicos Baselios Thomas I and other Parishers. The Orthodox faction also reached near the church gate and informed that they would enter the church at any cost.

“We will not sacrifice out right to pray, we cannot leave our church, we have decided that we will not leave the church” said the Metropolitan of Niranam Diocese Geevarghese Mor Coorilos.

Along with 700 policemen, a scuba team have also been kept ready outside the church compound. Officials from the revenue department too under the RDO are present. The Valiyapalli is situated on the banks of the Piravom river. Faithfuls from Alappuzha, Kottayam have reached Piravom in four boats.