Bishop meets city police chief; expresses concern over delay in withdrawal of Church attack cases

Mangalore, July 23: It was one of the rare occasions on Friday evening when the Bishop of Mangalore diocese, Rev Dr Aloysius Paul D Souza, lost his temper when he told the City Police Commissioner that he is ashamed to visit the latter's office as the chief minister as well as home minister have failed to keep their words on disposal of cases related to church attacks dated September 14-15, 2008.

“Though Chief Minister B?S?Yeddyurappa had made a promise to withdraw all the cases pertaining to church attacks about six months ago, the promises have remained only on paper. On the other hand, the cabinet too has not taken any decision in this regard, the Bishop rued.

Stating that 29 persons were issued summons to appear before JMFC III court on July 21, the Bishop regretted that 28 others have been issued summons to appear before the JMFC?II court on July 23 in connection with 12 cases.

Appealing the chief minister through the City Police Commissioner through a memorandum, the Bishop said that the chief minister has forced the Bishop, clergy and laity to beg for justice. “As I believed the words of chief minister and home minister, I?have lost face before the people,” the Bishop said urged the police commissioner to take steps towards speedy disposal of pending cases.In his reply, City Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh said that the files were recently forwarded from the Commissioner's office and assured to take steps to do the needful at the earliest.

KPCC Secretary Ivan D'Souza, CODP?Director Fr Onil D'Souza, Sr Assumpta, Sr Michell, Fr Thomas, JD(S) leader Susheel Noronha and many Catholic leaders accompanied the Bishop.

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