Andhra Pradesh - Visakhapatnam   

Solidarity rally organised

Photo: C.V.Subrahmanyam

In protest mode: Members of Christian associations taking out a rally in Visakhapatnam on Monday. —

VISAKHAPATNAM: A large number of representatives of the Church under the Archdiocese of Visakhapatnam led by Archbishop Kagitapu Mariadas organised a rally on Monday to express solidarity with victims of the Orissa communal conflict.

The rally began from St. Anthony’s Church at Maharanipet and formed a human chain at the Collectorate. It demanded that a CBI inquiry be ordered into the communal disturbances and the guilty be brought to the book. It appealed to the Union Government to take the initiative and come to the rescue of the victims and protect minorities. The governments should help people practise the freedom of religion enshrined in the Constitution, the protestors demanded.

Archbishop Mariadas urged Christians to spread the greatness of Christianity undeterred by such attacks. Led by him the religious leaders submitted a memorandum to DRO K. Madanmohan.

Fathers from various churches in Visakhapatnam, Vizianagaram and East Godavari districts, heads of various Christian organisations, MSFS Provincial Father Thomas, St. Ann’s Provincial Mother Celesta, St. Joseph Provincial Mother Gracia, Fr. Anthony, Fr. Joseph, Fr. Mariadas and Fr. Pushpanatham led the rally.

Under the aegis of district unit of the All-India Christian Council (AICC) and Central Committee of All Pastrol Fellowships (CCAPF) of Christian community, a rally was taken out and demonstration conducted in front of the Collectorate on Monday .

AICC president M.A. Paul, general secretary Prabhu Kumar and CCAPF secretary Vincent Zachariah said the the killing of innocent people and destruction of church properties were highly condemnable.

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