Beltangady: The Christian community at Madantyar agitated in front of the Punjalakatte police station on Sunday July 27, urging them to arrest the culprits who circulated pamphlets containing sarcastic and nasty remarks against the priests of Madantyar church.
The protest was held under the leadership of Joel Mendonca and he was joined by a large number of members from the Indian Catholic Youth Movement and several other organizations.
The protesters alleged that no action has been taken against two persons named John Prabhu and Gerald Correa named in a complaint alleging misconduct registered at the Punjalakatte police station by the the parish council of Mandyar Sacred Heart Church
They held the duo responsible for distributing pamphlets containing content diparaging the images of priests, as bad, and likewise portraying the church as well in an offensive way. The protestors alleged that the duo have written random objectionable letters and circulated them in the locality.
It is reported that the policemen had summoned the above persons to the police station on Sunday, and had let them go after obtaining written statements from them.
However the leniency of the policemen towards the accused angered the locals, who gathered in front of the police station in large numbers, and held a protest. They also demanded initiation of action against Madantyar Coordination Committee and taluk panchayat member, Vincent D’Souza, who has supported the accused persons on this issue.
Beltangady police circle inspector, Lingappa Poojary, promised the protesters that steps will be taken as per law against the accused persons without any delay. The protest was withdrawn on the basis of this assurance.
