Mannamangalam church shut after scuffle between rival factions

Parishioners belonging to Orthodox and Jacobite factions clashed and indulged in stone pelting.

Thrissur: The St Mary's Church at Mannamangalam near here was on Friday evening put under lock and key by the District Collector following clashes between the Orthodox and Jacobite factions of the Malankara Church.

At least 20 people were injured in the incident, prompting the district administration to ask both sides to pull out of the place of worship.

The accused were booked for attempt to instigate riot and murder. Apart from 30 protestors owing allegiance to the Orthodox faction, several Jacobite faction members who were attending a prayer meeting inside the church have also been detained.

The police have registered a case against around 120 people from both factions and the first accused is Orthodox Thrissur Diocese Metropolitan, Yuhanon Mar Milethious, who is currently convalescing in a hospital following the clashes on Thursday night.

On Friday morning, District Collector T V Anupama intervened and had one to one talks with the rival factions. By evening, it was decided that both factions would leave the church premises, after which the church was locked.

"We have asked both the groups to leave the church. They have agreed to our proposal. Jacobites have sought more time to discuss the matter with the superior authorities of their church," Anupama told PTI.

"We have also told them that in case of any more law and order issue, the district administration will take strong action against those involved," she said.

Around twenty people, including the members of the Orthodox faction who were observing a sit-in outside the church gate and the parishioners owing allegiance to Jacobite faction who were camping inside the church sustained injuries in stone pelting. There was also an alleged attempt to intentionally steer a car into the crowd during the clash.

The police quickly swung into action and removed the Orthodox faction who were protesting in front of the church before detaining them briefly. The police also dismantled the makeshift shed where Orthodox faction members were staging the sit-in protest.

Eight of the injured, Bishop Yuhanon Mar Meletios, Fr Thomas Paul Ramban, Fr. Mathayi Panamkuttiyil, Fr Pradeep, Fr Reji Mankuzha, Raju Palliserry, John Vazhani and Eldho were admitted to the Malankara Medical Mission Hospital in Adupputty.

The others who suffered injuries, P T Varghese, 67, Basil Sajjan, 20, Babu Perumaryil, 47, and Sajan, 48, who belong to the Orthodox faction, and Panthapillil Babu, 52, Chollakuzhiyil Biju, 48, Chollakuzhiyil Shaju, 43, Meenkuzhikkal James, 53, and Panthapallil Albin, 25, who owe allegiance to the Jacobite faction, are undergoing treatment at the Government General Hospital in Thrissur.

Several glass panes of the Church’s windows were damaged in the incident. A large posse of policemen led by ACP V K Raju has been posted at the site.

Fr P K Kuriakose, Orthodox Church clergy association secretary, demanded stringent action against the persons who indulged in violence.

Believers of the Orthodox faction had been observing a sit-in outside the church gate since Wednesday morning after the High Court dismissed a petition filed by the Jacobite faction against a lower court order granting police protection to the appointed vicar of the Orthodox faction.