TEAM HERALD
bureau@herald-goa.com
TIVIM: Tivim MLA Kiran Kandolkar inaugurated the renovated Holy Cross Chapel at Khorri-Assnora on Thursday, in the presence of Assonora Parish Priest Fr Joe Rodrgues and retired Fr Maxy of Assonora, Assonora Sarpanch Sapna Mapari, Panchas Megashyam Chodankar, Laxmikant Parab and Inacio Xavier. Narrating the unusual history behind the chapel, Xavier recalled that one Kistu from Assonora, who was dubbed the ‘Robinhood’ to the poor, was believed to have looted the rich and handed over the money to the poor.
“Kistu would protect the poor from the exploitation of landlords. Behind the Holy Cross Chapel was his aunt’s house where he visited to have lunch on Sundays.”
“The authorities took the aunt into confidence and drilled a hole through the wall of the house behind his chair. One day, while Kistu was havng lunch, he was shot dead through this hole,” informed Xavier.
“The head was severed from the body and the body was buried about 100 mtrs behind the Chapel. At present, there are two graves and it is believed that one holds the body and the other the head of Kistu. As the incident caused fear among the people, the local heads built a Cross at the site and a chapel was subsequently built in place of the cross.”
“Today, it has become a very big and beautiful chapel. With the help of two industries situated in front of the chapel, 18 chapel members including MLA Kandolkar collected Rs 20 lakh and renovated the Holy Cross Chapel,” he said.
