4 statues desecrated at Curchorem
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
CURCHOREM, MAY 2
Vandals desecrated four statues installed in the courtyard of Guardian Angel Church, Curchorem, on Saturday night.
According to sources, the incident has resulted into strong resentment among the people against law and order in the State.
Guardian Angel Church, having a history of over 120 years, is situated in the main locality near Curchorem market. The Church compound is spacious and well illuminated, but despite this, some miscreants vandalized the statues of Our Lady of Lourdes and St Bernadeth installed in the grotto at the right hand side of the Church.
Both the statues were carved out from single pure white marble stones and were brought from Portugal about 50 years ago.
The miscreants further climbed on the 10-feet high pedestal and damaged the statue of Christ the King installed in front of the Church. The vandals also desecrated the statue of Fr Agnel D’Souza, which was installed down the steps of the Church. Besides, two electrical fixtures installed on both the sides of the statue were also damaged.
Church Parish Priest Fr Ligroin D’Costa lodged a complaint with Curchorem police station.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat rushed to the site at about 11 am and convened a meeting with priests, prominent citizens and others. Curchorem MLA Shyam Satardekar, Quepem Mamlatdar Sudin Natu, Quepem DySP Rohidas Patre, South Goa SP Vaman Tari and others were present.
Chief Minister Digambar Kamat assured that the culprits would be nabbed soon.
Later at about 12 pm, Home Minister Ravi Naik also visited the site and took stock of the situation. He said a separate Cell will be opened in the police department to tackle such cases of vandalism.
Speaking to Herald, local MLA Shyam Satardekar said anti-social elements are frustrated because their intention of disturbing communal harmony in the State by desecrating idols and statues has utterly failed. “Police has to book them and expose them,” he added.
Fr D’Costa, who was deeply hurt with the desecration of the statues which he considered antiques, said the government has to tackle the issue seriously.
“The assurances that law will take its own course do not seem convincing. The night patrolling should be systematic and the manpower in the police department needs to be increased and proper training is required. The police should be given handsome salaries so that they do not turn towards corruption,” said Fr D’Costa.
“Awards should be declared to the citizens who provide clue to detect crime and policemen, who nab the culprits involved in desecrations, should also be awarded,” added Fr D’Costa.
