Civil Defence committees be constituted to prevent desecration of Idols

Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. and Secretary AICC who visited Chandor on Saturday to inspect the sites where recently desecration idols and statues took place, the Government should constitute village-wise civil defence committees under Civil Defence Act,1968. Mr Naik who visited the Church of Lady of Betlem at Chandor and visited all the sites where desecration of idols and statues took place on 23rd March,2009 said that civilians will have to put in their efforts to protect their villages and also play a role to the extent possible in nabbing the culprits .

Mr Naik said in today's scenario , efforts of the police machinery have to be supplemented by civilians due to the limited number of police force in the State. Mr Naik said that the Government has to procure modern scientific equipments from the Centre to investigate crimes in the state committed by smart criminals.

Shantaram Naik

Mr Shantaram Naik M.P. inspecting the site of grotto at the Church of Of Our Lady of Bethlem at Chandor where three statues were destroyed by the criminals. Also seen in the photograph are Shri Altinho Gomes, Father Saude Pereira, Father Damaciano Mascarenhas,Marina Mendes and others .

In a statement issued today, Mr. Naik said that since the incidents of desecration are taking place since the year 2004, without police getting any clue or even motive, leave alone success in nabbing the culprits, assistance from neighbouring states and their expertise should be obtained. Mr Naik said that if the group or the groups who are engaged in indulging in desecration of idols, were to commit terrorists acts what would be the fate of the State, questioned Mr Naik.

During his visit found that three statues placed in the grotto, in the property of the Church of Our Lady of Betlem at Chandor destroyed. Miscreants also destroyed the Alter in the cemetery and also destroyed Cross in the cemetery erected by the family of Vincent Paul Fernandes. They also destroyed a Band Stand on the left side of the church, on which there was an anchor with the cross at the top. Further at the right side of the church, they destroyed a memorial erected by the Carvalho Fernandes.

At Gudi road, two kilometers away from the Chandor Church, the miscreants destroyed a structure known at "Alma Khuris" and broke the cross and threw it in the nearby paddy field.

Mr. Naik was accompainied, during his visit by Shri Altinho Gomes, General Secretary of Goa Pradesh Congress Committee, Father Saude Pereira, Parish Priest of the Church, Father Damasiano Mascaranhas, Assistant Parish Priest, Shri Agenlo Fernandes, Moderator, Parish Council, Shri Caitano Antao and Shri Anthony Dias, both Members of Parish Council, Mrs. Suzana Dias, Deputy Sarpanch, Village Panchayat, Chandor, Mrs. Marina Mendes, Member of Village Panchayat of Chandor, Shri Augustinho Antao, Ex-Sarpanch of Village Panchayat of Gurdolim and Shri Ismail Gazipur, villager of Chandor. In a statement issued today, Mr. Naik said that since the incidents of desecration are taking place since the year 2004, without police getting any clue or even motive, leave alone success in nabbing the culprits.