Velankanni Mother’s statue vandalized in Kurla, Mumbai, protests

Mangalore Today News Network

Mumbai, Feb 21, 2017: Catholics in Mumbai hold protests after unidentified miscreants vandalized a Marian statue near Kurla junction in the western Indian metropolis.

According to reports, the miscreants came on a bike and shattered a glass case before breaking the statue on February 19. The Kurla police have registered a case against unknown persons. The police are examining through CCTV footage procured from units located near the spot.

According to sources, the incident occurred at about 4 am at Christian gaon, Kurla (west). “We received a complaint that a statue of Mother Mary was vandalized and the glass casing on another statue was shattered,” the source said.

Many Catholics gathered at the venue to protest. The protesters alleged that such incidents took place especially during election time. They demanded strict police   action to curb such incidents.

Social activists, told the media that in January a cross in Juhu was broken and the police nabbed a drunken, mentally -challenged person. Another cross was vandalized on September 4, 2016, the day of Mother Teresa’s canonization. “No arrest was made.” it is said.

Paramjit Dahiya, deputy commissioner of police, zone 5, said his men have controlled the situation “and we have started investigations.”   The Kurla police said the CCTV scan show some bikers roaming around in the area. “But there is no CCTV footage recording the incident. So we have registered an offence against unknown persons and are investigating the case,” an officer is reported to have said.