By Violet Pereira, Team Mangaloeran

Mangalore:  As the people in the city experienced those black days and the attacks on Catholic churches during the past years, and are trying to forget all the bitter experience, one more holy place ' The Holy Hill' was vandalised by miscreants lately.

After the incident at the Holy Hill, many police officials visited the spot, and assured to do justice.  But now the incident has resulted in the involvement of politicians where the Deputy Speaker Yogish Bhat and veteran congress leader Janardhan Poojary  had visited the spot on June 26.

Yogish Bhat while discussing the incident with the managing trustee, Paul Rodrigues assured of thorough investigation about the incident.  Later addressing the mediapersons Bhat said, " As soon as I read the news, I had called the commissioner and ordered for a detailed investigation and the arrest of the miscreants who he said must be severely punished for this cowardly act. We will not tolerate such acts on any religious places. Everyone has the right to practice their own faith and no one should hurt the feelings of the other faith", he said.

Further he said, "First we have to find out the motto behind this attack. We have to live with peace and unity, by destroying the lights of the cross the miscreants proved that their intention was bad.  Mangaloreans are peace lovers and everyone wants to live in peace".  He also said that we have to take necessary measures in investigating this case and punish the culprits severely so that it will be a lesson to others who try to spoil the peace in the society.

Janardhan Poojary who also visited the spot knelt down in front of the cross and prayed. Inquiring about the incident with the care takers of the place he later addressed the mediapersons and said that the miscreants who entered inside the prayer place pulled down the electrical wires, then damaged the lights and flower pots on their way. It is a deliberate and pre planned act. Entering illegally and damaging properly is against the law and whoever did this, did it with bad intentions, he said.

Further he said that continuous attacks have been taking place on Christian churches and prayer places but our government is in deep sleep. No proper investigations have been done and a wrong message has been sent to the culprits. No action by the government has encouraged them to create communal disharmony in the society, Sangh Parivar in involved in this act he blamed.  BJP is trying to get votes, so they are creating such situations.  He called on the police to act swiftly and show their efficiency by punishing those who all are involved in this heinous crime.  Then only people of Mangalore will be confident about the service of the police, he stressed. Some times when our police are unable to find any leads they blame the same community for inside job and close the case. He said whoever has done this act, should be punished severely.

Mayor Gulzar Banu also visited the spot . Poojary advised the Mayor to take the responsibility and to reinstall the damaged lights and other things. He said to create communal harmony where Mangalore City corporation as well as the officials should work hand in hand.  Gulzar Banu assured to look into the matter and do the necessary work.

Many political party members were also present.

Mangalore: A Unholy Behavior by Strangers at 'Holy Hill'