Two Catholic crosses in Catholic-dominated villages in South Goa were found to be desecrated on Sunday morning, causing tension in the area, even as Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that swift action would be taken against the vandals.
The two crosses — crosses along the roadside, which are annually venerated by Catholics in the area are common in rural Goa — were found vandalised in St Jose de Areal and Gudi Paroda villages located in South Goa’s Salcete sub district, which is numerically dominated by Catholics.
While police have not tracked down the accused in both cases yet, Superintendent of Police (South Goa) Chandan Choudury said that police patrolling will be intensified in both villages, especially at night.
“We have stepped up patrolling. Both incidents came to light earlier today morning. We are already questioning people in the area,” she told The Pioneer.
The official also said that earlier this month, a similar desecration had occurred in South Goa’s Chandor village, but investigation revealed that the vandalism was carried out by a mentally unsound person.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar, however, said that police had been asked to leave no stone unturned in their investigation.
“I have directed police to intensify regular patrolling in such areas,” Parrikar said, adding that such mischief will “not be tolerated”.