Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (RD/GA)
Mangalore, Jun 26: A rally protesting the attack on Fr Sylvester Pereira has been organized at Kundapur on Wednesday June 27. The rally has been organized by like-minded organizations from Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts.
The police have arrested four activists of local Hindu organizations who said to have assaulted Fr Sylvester Pereira, priest of Katkere Carmel Ashram here on Monday June 25. The arrested have already been produced in the court.
The arrested have been identified as Ankadakatte Ramanna Shetty, Raja Ankadakatte, Prakash Vithalawady, Sudhakar. However, it has been observed that 3 more men, Girish, Venkatesh and Subrahmanya who were directly involved in the attack have not yet been arrested. Hence it has been reported that an all-religion protest would be staged on Sunday July 1.
Sources claimed that there has been political pressure on police not to arrest the prime accused. Some local leaders are siding with the accused and are trying to shield them, said a local while condemning the attack on Fr Sylvester, two religious brothers, and a layman.
Mean while, it has been decided to take appropriate legal action in this regard. At the same time Catholic youth have been advised to restrain from violence and maintain peace.
Widespread condemnation: Catholic Sabha, Block Congress, JD (S), Taluk Souhardha Vedike, SFI, DYFI, CPI (M), and other organizations have condemned the assault on Fr Sylvester, Br Joyson, Valerian D’Silva (66), Br John Pradeep and kitchen help, Mukund Bhandary. The political leaders of various parties have urged the police to maintain law and order in Kundapur. Byndoor MLA, Gopal Poojary visited the priest and his fellowmen at the hospital.
Earlier News: