Azhikal (AsiaNews/CBCI) – Unknown assailants destroyed a Marian shrine in Melathurai in the southern state of Tamil Nadu on the night of 17 February.
In a report filed to the police, the Parish Council secretary said the attack was the work of “antisocial elements” intent on “disrupting peace and fomenting communal and religious disharmony”.
He urged to authorities to “immediately apprehend the culprits to avoid further communal clashes in our hitherto peaceful Kanyakumari district.” The secretary added: “The government should rebuild the shrine dedicated to the Virgin.”
Fr Stephen Dominic, parish priest of Pillaithopu (who has the responsibility of looking after the shrine), said: “The assault was well planned and executed in the dead of night on a new moon day by a group of people that was motivated and prepared. The structure of the shrine could never have been broken by just two or three persons.”
The shrine built in 1973 was battered by the Tsunami of 26 December 2004. Immediately after the seaquake, the parish made a collection and reconstructed the building. Before the attack, it was nearly ready to be reopened.