the goan I network
MARGAO
Miscreants hurled stones at the Carmelite monastery at Margao during the Easter vigil service and Mass on Saturday night, leaving a woman injured, with the Carmelite Superior terming the incident an attempt to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the area.
While a stone landed on the ground and broke into pieces, another stone hit the leg of a woman. Another stone is believed to have landed on a car also causing minor damage.
What agitated the parishioners in general and the Superior of Carmelite Monastery Fr Archie Gonsalves in particular was the fact that miscreants had been targeting the monastery during the Easter and Christmas congregation, besides the Divine Mercy celebration during the night. “A year ago, two cars were damaged in stone throwing. Before that, a boy was injured in a similar incident. We used to think that this is the handiwork of an insane man, but now it is become clear that this is being done deliberately to vitiate the peaceful atmosphere prevailing in the Malbhat and Aquem areas of the city”, Fr Gonsalves said.
He pointed out that the monastery had intimated the police about the late night congregation on account of the Easter.
“We do not suspect anyone behind the stone throwing incident. All people, Christians, Hindus and Muslim live in perfect harmony in Aquem and Malbhat, but there may be a handful of elements who are out to disturb the peace in the locality”, he said, while requesting the Margao police to initiate strict action and nip such communal actions in the bud.
Margao Police station in-charge, PI Kapil Nayak visited the site to take stock of the situation. Security was beefed up as a precautionary measure. The police are investigating.
