Cross desecrated, church vandalised in Veroda

Cross desecrated, church vandalised in Veroda
HERALD REPORTER
MARGAO, MARCH 29
Residents of Veroda and Cuncolim woke up to hear the news of miscreants desecrating a Cross and damage caused to the window panes of the Veroda Church last night.
The Cuncolim police in a swift action detained a 41-year old deaf and dumb person, Fenny Britto, a resident of Veroda and later arrested him under section 153-a and 295 and 295-A of the IPC.
The incident came to light at around 6 am when some women noticed the cross at Buring knocked down from the pedestal. Thereafter, news spread that a youth had damaged the window glass panes and ornaments lamps of the Veroda Church.
Acting on information, the Cuncolim police immediately nabbed the accused and took him into custody for interrogations.
Initially, many wondered whether the incident is the handiwork of the miscreants involved in desecrating Temples and Crosses across the state.  But, the arrest of the youth helped to defuse the situation and keep rumour mongers at bay.
Cuncolim police station in-charge, Nelson Albuquerque said the accused was arrested after he was allegedly seen breaking the Church window panes at 11 pm last night. Moreover, PI Albuquerque said the accused allegedly confessed how he knocked the Cross from the pedestal reportedly because he was a handicapped person. “The accused has sustained injuries on his hand. He has been sent to Bambolim for medical examination for his blood grouping and to certify whether he is deaf and dumb. The doctors would also carry out his psychiatric evaluation”, PI Albuquerque said, adding that the police would interrogate him to ascertain his involvement in any other similar cases.
Cuncolim MLA and Urban Development Minister, Joaquim Alemao, Superintendent of police, South Allan De Sa, DySP Umesh Gaonkar visited the site and interacted with the accused person. The police acted on a complaint filed by Augusto Rebello.