SANKHALI: About 200 parishioners participated in a silent protest march to a roadside cross in Kodal near Sankhali to express their dismay over the desecration of the cross by miscreants.
It may be recalled that miscreants damaged the cross, which is situated along the highway, on September 12. The locals lodged a police complaint with Bicholim police, who inspected the site and registered an FIR.
The parishioners participated in the 2-km march from the church to the cross. People participating in the protest march carried placards expressing their hurt feelings and appealed to maintain the age-old communal harmony that is prevalent in the locality.
The silent protest march was led by Parish Priest Fr Gabriel Lobo and Rector of St Ann’s Convent Fr Anthony Lopes.
Fr Lobo said the age-old cross is revered by all people cutting across all religions. “The communal fabric of the locality has to be preserved and should not be allowed to succumb to misdeeds of a few,” he said and prayed that the miscreants be forgiven by God for their action and that they may not resort to such actions in future.
Sankhali Municipal Council Chairperson Dharmesh Saglani also accompanied the parishioners to the damaged cross. Saglani expressed his solidarity and support to bring the incident to the notice of the local authorities.
