Vandals target Salcete again; 2 crosses desecrated in Loutolim

the goan I networkrMARGAO rLoutolim villagers woke up on Thursday to hear the shocking news of two Crosses, including a Portuguese-era miraculous cross, desecrated in the village in the wee hours, as vandals returned to Salcete to desecrate religious structures after a brief lull. r As news of the incident spread like wild fire, triggering outrage and condemnation in the village, Loutolim Parish Priest Fr Logorinho Da Costa appealed for calm, while at the same time requested the police to nab the culprits. r The two Crosses located at Carvotta and Rassaim were vandalized, apparently with the help of a heavy object shortly after 4 in the morning. The miraculous Cross at Carvotta is believed to have been desecrated in a space of an hour, between 4 am to 5 am. The Cross was seen intact at 4 am by a baker Tony Caldeira and was found desecrated while he was returning home. r “On behalf of the Parishioners, I condemn the vandalism going on across Goa and in Loutolim now. At the same time, I appeal to my brothers of all faiths to maintain calm. Let us forgive these people who are doing these acts and pray for their own conversion”, Fr Ligorinho appealed through the media. r The incident came to light when early Church goers noticed the desecration at around 7 am. Local resident and next door neighbour, Albert Pinheiro, who lodged the complaint, told media that the incident must have occurred after 1.30 am. “I was awake till 1.30 am. The miscreants must have used a hammer. It must have taken them 8-9 seconds to vandalize the cross. The main intention is to create communal disharmony”, Albert said. r Loutolim Panch member Tony Vaz said what has happened is very bad aimed at provoking the Christian community. “We request the police to nab the culprits. “The police have to intensify patrolling. The miscreants have damaged two crosses in the village”, he said. r Village Sarpanch Inacinho Fernandes said the police should immediately get the culprits arrested. “Two days ago, they had carried out desecrations at Curchorem. The police have still not nabbed the culprits. We cannot say whether these desecrations are the handiwork of local Goans or outsiders”, he said. r Says village baker, Tony Caldeira: “When I had passed by Carvotta at 4.30 am, I had found the cross intact. It was found vandalized half an hour later when I was returning home. I found a police picket near the health centre and when they had questioned me, I explained that I am a baker delivering bread to the area”, he said. r The police top brass led by DGP Mukesh Chander, district police chief Arvind Gawas, SP crime Karthik Kashyap, DySP Lawrence D’Souza, Maina Curtorim PI Harish Madkaikar rrrPortuguese-era structure a symbol of religious harmony rPoliticos join public chorus in condemning act rLocals question police chief rJoint effort by cops, public needed: SP Kashyap rDesecration count touches 9 in Salcete