The church walked out of the attraction in a cross-park, removing the cross in Thommankuthu
The followers of St. Thomas Church arrived at the cross of the forest department of Thommankuthu on Friday in a cross-marches. |Picture source: Special Arrnagement
Thommankuthu St. Thomas Church, under the Syro Malabar church, took a way to reach the forest department of Thommankuthu near Thodupuzha on Friday by cross-marching.
According to church authorities, the procession was to protest the forest department, which canceledApril 12. Although the Ministry of Forest and police tried to stop faithful entry into the area, the parade entered the scene and prayed.
Johnny Ellikkal, treasurer of St. Thomas Church, claims the Forest Department is trying to embezzle income land. “The land erected by the cross belongs to the local residents for more than 60 years, and the site is outside of Janda, a rock used to delineate forest and tax land. The church will convene a meeting and discuss further protests against the department’s evacuation of the cross.”
Written petition
He claimed that after Kaliyar Range officials were in charge, the official activity on trees was formally opposed, entitled Deed Land. “We have submitted a written petition to the officials,” Ellikkal said.
“The forest sector is trying to claim that farmland in and around Janda has forest coverage.
Members of Congress said he had written to the Chief Minister to launch an action against officials evacuating the cross and blocked the way of the cross on Good Friday.
Reserve forest area
A senior forest department official said the place where the crosses were erected was part of the reserve forest area. Church authorities have not yet introduced any documents claiming ownership of the land. “In Thommankuthu, land outside Janda is part of the reserve forest. The department has not yet decided to register cases against participants in the parade, who were illegally entering the reserve forest area, as several women and children were part of the rally. ” said the official.
The Ministry of Forests now claims ownership of land outside Janda Marking, said Father Jose Kulathur, principal of the parish of Kothamangalam. “The government should take action against forest officials who removed the cross. We suspect this is an image that attempts to undermine the religious symbols of Catholicism,” he said.
Officials said church authorities erected a cross on April 11. The department has targeted 18 people, including the priest. St. Thomas Church pastor James Aikkaramattom was responsible for establishing the cross on the reserve forest.
publishing – April 19, 2025 08:40 pm ist
