Orthodox, Jacobite factions clash in Kochi over school ownership

Mangalore Today News Network

Kochi, Oct 15, 2016: Tension prevailed at Nedumbassery on Oct 12 after members of the Malankara Orthodox Church and the Jacobite Syrian Church had a conflict over the ownership of the Mar Athanasius Higher secondary School, Nedumbassery.

The police said that series of events started when members of the Jacobite faction, led by Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, attempted to enter the venue of a function organized by Malankara Orthodox Church at Mar Athanasius Higher Secondary School around 3.30pm.

The event was organized to observe the 50th death anniversary of Valiyaparambil Geevarghese Mar Gregorios, founder of the educational institution.

Police said that tension prevailed in Nedumbassery after the Jacobite faction decided to enter the school where the function was scheduled by the Orthodox faction. Baselios Marthoma Paulose II was the chief guest at the programme. The Jacobite faction had given memorandums to chief minister and the district collector, to cancel the programme.

Police said that the Jacobite faction marched to the school after holding a meeting at the St George Church nearby to protest against the function scheduled to be conducted at the disputed property.

The police, initially, prevented them from leaving the church premises to avoid clashes. However, the group took out a protest march to the school.

The police had a tough time in controlling the crowd who were shouting slogans against each other. After the Jacobite faction was prevented from entering the venue, Catholicos Baselios Thomas I launched a hunger strike at the main entrance of the school.