Clashes Erupt Between Two Christian Factions In Kerala After Malankara Orthodox Followers Try To Enter ‘Disputed’ Church

Nine people were injured in clashes between the followers of Jacobite Syrian Church and Malankara Orthodox Church over the ownership of Manthalir St. Thomas Church situated in Kulanada.

The incident took place in the early hours of Thursday (17 January). All the injured have been admitted to a hospital in Pandalam, The Hindu reported.

Citing a verdict of the Kerala High Court members of the Orthodox church attempted to enter the church premises. Seeing this, Jacobite followers too assembled in large numbers to bar the former from entering the church.

The church has remained closed since 1974 due to the ownership issue.

Members of the Orthodox church claim that the Kerala High Court has ruled in their favour. The police thus sought cooperation to implement the court verdict but were met with defiance. They later proceeded to remove the protesters from the spot.

It was earlier reported that a Kottayam church was at the centre of a political storm after members CPM’s youth wing had vandalised it. The church was reportedly being used as a refuge by a carol team of St Paul’s Anglican Church which had earlier been attacked by the communist activists.