By Violet Pereira, Team Mangalorean
 
Mangalore: Holy Hill Cross was damaged by some miscreants on Sunday night, June 24.

Speaking to mangalorean.com, Managing Trustee of the Holy Hill, Paul Rodrigues said that we had erected the cross at Holy Hill, Nagori 15 years ago.  People from all faiths come here to pray and till date there has not been any untoward incidents recorded here. From the past 15 years we have not asked for donations or offerings from the public nor have we involved in any conversion activities. Also we never had forced any devotee for any favours.  It is a holy place and people have benefited a lot from the prayer sessions.  We normally open the gate early in the morning for prayers at 6.00 a.m and the prayer services are held everyday from 6 p.m to 7 p.m. People who come here say, "If we come and pray here, our burden will be lightened and we go home with peace".

When questioned about suspicion on anyone behind this act, he said, "Till date we don't have any enmity with anyone, so we cannot point our finger at anyone until and unless the miscreants are caught", he said.

Melwyn D'Silva a volunteer opens the gate at 6.00 a.m, everyday, but today when he opened the gate at the same time he noticed that the plant pots were broken and discarded on the steps. D'Silva also found out that near the cross found that the electrical wires were pulled out and lights destroyed. Immediately he called Paul Rodrigues and informed the matter. Paul went to the police station to register a complaint.  Melwyn also said that," from past 14 years this is the first time someone has attacked the cross and destroyed the lights.  Let God forgive them and enlighten their minds, so that they can live in peace and not cause harm to anyone".

Rural Sub Inspector Muniswamy Nilakantan, Circle Inspector of Kankanady police station Ravish Nayak and T R Jagannath visited the spot for inspection.  A case has been registered in Kankanady rural police station and investigation is going on.