Stephen Kayyar

Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod (MS)

Kasargod, Sep 18: "Even after a month, the police have failed to arrest the accused in the attack on Our Lady of Mercy Church Manjeshwar. If the culprits are not arrested soon, hunger protest will be held in front of the offices of deputy commissioner (DC) and superintendent of police (SP)," said Rolphy D'Costa, president of Catholic Sabha Mangalore Pradesh in a press conference that was held at the Kasargod press club on Tuesday, September 17.

Rolphy further said, "Justice needs to be served to the public by arresting the culprits who have attacked the church. If this demand is not met, after a day's fast protest, fast unto death will be held in front of the DC and SP office of the district.

"The police, who arrived on the spot immediately after the attack had promised to arrest the hooligans within 24 hours. However, even after a month they are unable to trace them. All the leaders of political parties, regardless of caste and political affiliation had condemned the attack. Christians of the diocese had taken a huge protest march from Manjeshwar Block office to Hosangadi pressurizing the police to arrest the accused," added Rolphy.

Rophy D'Costa said, "In addition to the protest march, appeals were submitted to state revenue minister E Chandrashekharan and Kasaragod MLA N A Nellikunnu. But this did not yield any result. Considering all these factors, fast protest will be held in coming days."