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Catholics Cautions Kerala Govt Against
Vandalism
In Catholic College
PATHANAMTHITTA, Kerala, MAR. 29, 2008, 09.40 Hrs (SAR
News):
The Catholicos of the Syro-Malankara Catholic Church,
Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis, cautioned the Communist
Party-led Left Democratic Front Government in Kerala
against any further attack or malicious campaign against
the Church and its institutions in the state.
He was speaking after inaugurating a 'satyagraha' staged
against the attack by the activists of the Students
Federation of India (SFI), the students wing of the
communist party, on Mar Athanasios College for Advanced
Sciences and Technology (MACFAST) at Tiruvalla, March 26.
A rally was also organised by the Tiruvalla Archdiocese in
this connection. It was inaugurated by Major Archbishop
Cleemis, the head of the Syro-Malankara Church.
The prelate said there was every reason to believe that
the attack perpetrated by SFI activists on flimsy grounds
was with the will and consent of the ruling party's top
leaders in the State. Any further vandalism would be
resisted at all cost, he added.
The SFI activists vandalised Athanasios College after a
girl student, Sumi, allegedly slashed her wrist at the
college hostel in an attempt to end her life, after her
laptop was reportedly stolen from her room. She later died
at her home in Chavara during Easter holidays.
A large number of Christians, including priests, nuns and
parents of the students of the college, participated in
the rally led by the Archbishop of Thiruvalla, Mar Thomas
Koorilose, March 26.
It was inaugurated by Archbishop Joseph Perumthottam of
Changanassery.
They condemned the vandalism on the college and the attack
on a bus belonging to Puspagiri Medical College of
Thiruvalla Archdiocese.
Former minister, M.M. Hassan, alleged that the attack on
MACFAST proved once again that "all sorts of
anti-democratic and violent forces flourished under the
LDF rule in the State for the last two years".
He said the latest incident at Thiruvalla was "a part of
the CPM's nasty tactics of suppressing the opponents by
misusing the mandate of governance".
Tiruvalla, the headquarters of the Syro-Malankara Catholic
Church, witnessed rallies and demonstrations for and
against the attack on MACFAST.
A march taken out by All-India Students Federation, the
students' wing of the Communist Party of India (CPI)
demanding criminal action against the college management,
was blocked by the police en route to MACFAST.
The protesters staged a sit-in on the road and raised
slogans against the Athanasios College management and its
principal. The march took a violent turn when some
participants tried to break the police cordon.
In all eight persons, including a sub-inspector of police,
were injured in the melee.
The policemen arrested 23 AISF and All-India Youth
Federation activists.
The Democratic Youth Federation of India, the youth wing
of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and SFI
activists jointly staged a protest march to the college.
It was also blocked by the police about 300 meters from
college. SFI state joint secretary, Roshan Roy Mathew,
inaugurated the protest meeting.
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