CURCHOREM: Two more incidents of desecration of religious structures were reported in the state on Thursday as some unknown persons vandalised two crosses at Dodyal, Xelvona and at Bebquegal, Curchorem.
Curchorem Police Sub-Inspector Sanit Kavlekar, who is investigating the incident at Xelvona, said the Alma Khuris was desecrated and vandalised between 4 am and 6 am with the sole intention of destabilising the communal
harmony.
The police team on night patrol duty found a cross damaged by the side of the main road hardly a 100 metres away from Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral’s residence at Bebquegal, Curchorem.
“The police team visited both the sites and conducted the panchanama and pressed the sniffer dogs into service. Both the cases have been registered under Section 295 against unknown person/s and further investigation is in progress,” said PSI Arun Endro, who is investigating the incident at Bebquegal.
Speaking to Herald, Curchorem MLA Nilesh Cabral, who visited the sites, condemned the incidents and described them as cowardly act of anti-social elements.
“I had already directed the police to intensify their night patrolling and maintain a strict vigil on such anti-socials,” he added.
He informed that many CCTV cameras in the area are not working.
“I will ask the government to repair the existing ones and install more cameras or else I will get them installed by spending my money or with the help of social activist to improve the system in the constituency” he said.
Cabral said that he has asked the police to intensify night patrolling and to keep a watch on the anti-socials.
“We, Christians are a peaceful community and firmly believe live and let live. The desecration is the handiwork of anti-socials aimed at disturbing our peace. Government must therefore nab these culprits and deal with them with an iron hand,” said Mathew D’Costa, a resident.
Another local William Fernandes said, “This is a planned strategy to destabilise the communal harmony existing in the State. One can clearly see it as such activities are mostly occurring only in South Goa.”
He demanded the more CCTV cameras be installed at prominent places and keep them in working condition.
