Thiruvananthapuram, India - Thousands of believers, including a large number of nuns and women, took to the streets across the State on Monday demanding the arrest of those involved in the attack on the Neyyattinkara Bishop’s House.
The protest march and the blockade of the National Highway were organised by the Kerala Regional Latin Catholic Council (KRLCC). The protestors, who squatted at Neyyattinkara junction, blocked the National Highway for nearly three hours.
The march was inaugurated by KRLCC General Secretary Fr Stephen. Neyyattinkara Bishop Vincent Samuel, Neyyattinkara Imam Naushad Mannani and Ekalavya Ashram advisory board member Radhakrishnan led the agitation.
A large number of believers, including priests and women, took part in the secretariat march that began from the St Joseph’s Cathedral at Palayam. The marchers shouted slogans urging an ‘end to the criminal politics’.
Inaugurating a sit-in in front of secretariat, Vicar-General of the Thiruvananthapuram Archdiocese Mon M Joseph said that the believers would be forced to initiate stronger modes of agitation unless stern action was taken against the real culprits.
In Kochi, the believers took out a march to the Kanayannoor Taluk office. Varapuzha Archbishop Daniel Acharuparambil inaugurated the march. Speaking on the occasion, he lashed out at the State government for not bringing to book the culprits involved in the attack and alleged that they enjoyed the Government’s support.
He said the community did not want to politicise the issue. In Kozhikode, the march was inaugurated by Kozhikode Bishop Rev Joseph Kalathiparambil.
In his inaugural speech, the Bishop urged the Government to ensure security to the Christian population of the State. He also said that there was no political motive behind the march, which is being held to express the community’s protest peacefully.
“Each individual should get the freedom to follow his faith peacefully,” the Bishop said.
Thousands of believers participated in the march, which started from the St Mary’s Malankara Catholic Church near the Collectorate. The march was led by Bishop Kalathiparambil, C J Robin, Mother Anquencata of Apostolic Carmel, Fr Tom Arakkal, Fr Joseph Maliyekkal, Fr Mathew Chamakkalayil and leaders of the Kerala Latin Catholic Association and the Kerala Latin Catholic Council.
The public meeting and the dharna held in front of the Collectorate after the march was inaugurated by Fr Thomas Panakkal. Fr Paul Andrews, C J Robin and T A Edward addressed the dharna.