Goa: CSJP questions probe of desecration incidents

The Council for Social Justice and Peace (CSJP), a wing of Goa Church, today expressed concern over recurrence of desecration of Christian religious structures in the state, suggesting that it could be the work of a group and not an individual.

It also questioned the police probe.

A Holy Cross was found desecrated at village Raia in South Goa district yesterday. Police arrested a migrant labourer, suspected him to be the culprit.

"We are deeply perturbed with the resurfacing of desecration of Christian religious structures," CSJP Executive Secretary Fr Savio Fernandes said in a statement.

"The usual biased and knee-jerk reaction of police" in arresting a migrant labourer "offers absolutely no consolation to the Christian community", he said.

"One year ago, the police created a spectacle by claiming to have cracked the crimes with the arrest of a Catholic taxi driver and charge-sheeting him for several desecrations across Goa," Fernandes said, referring to the arrest of a 50-year-man for alleged involvement in a spate of desecrations.

Courts quashed most of the cases against this man for want of evidence, Fernandes noted.

Fact-finding reports by civil society groups had suggested that these incidents appeared to be the work of a highly organised gang, he said.

"Now that the religious desecrations have resurfaced ...CSJP demands that Goa Government conduct a proper and thorough independent investigation in all such cases.

"The Council hopes that the state government and police will not once again take recourse in the usual denial and diversionary tactics and finding some scapegoat to cover up such crimes, which have been contributing to the growing feelings of insecurity among the minorities in the State and the country," Fernandes said.