Special squad to track down Goa chapel desecration culprits

Goa Police has set up a special squad to track down the culprits who vandalised a chapel in a south Goa village last week destroying a statue in the process, a senior official said Monday.

Speaking to reporters at the police headquarters in Panaji, Deputy Inspector General of Police O.P. Mishra said that the patrolling pattern had been changed to ensure that no one breaks into a place of worship again.

"The South District investigation unit has been handed over the investigation," Mishra told reporters here.

Thieves robbed four antique statues from the St. Joseph's chapel in Assolna, a village 50 km south of Panaji, in the wee hours of Saturday.

The culprits also damaged a statue in the chapel.

The incident occurred a day after 92 crosses were vandalised in a cemetery in the state by a woman. Police claimed that the woman was mentally challenged.

Mishra said there was enough evidence to conclude that the motive of those who broke into the village chapel was robbery, not desecration alone.