Miscreants threw stones St. Theresa's statue, shattering the glass case in which it was enclosed on the premises of St. Theresa's School in Bendore here early on Sunday. The statue was not damaged.
Principal of the school Sr. Premitha said the watchman heard the sound of the glass breaking and saw three men riding a motorcycle between 4 a.m. and 4.30 a.m. near the school.
Lynette Fernandes, member of the Parent Teacher Association, told presspersons here on Sunday that the watchman the motorcycle did not have a number plate and the miscreants threw bricks at the glass enclosure of the statue and the window panes of the school.
Ms. Fernandes said that the bricks used were not found anywhere on the premises of the school. She urged the district administration to take action against the culprits. A case has been registered in the Mangalore East police station.
Correspondent of the school Sr. Rose Celin said the attack seemed to be planned and that there were “forces” behind the “grievous act” which had hurt the sentiments of the staff, management of the school, and the parents whose children studied here.
Ms. Fernandes said this was not the first time the statue had been stoned. It had happened in 2007 and in 2009.
Commissioner of Police Seemant Kumar Singh, who visited the spot, said the police were investigating the case.
The city police had been directed to hold peace committee meetings.
Security
Police patrol vehicles would be used to tighten security at religious institutions at night.
Asked about the police questioning members of a particular group, Mr. Singh said that unless inquiries were made it was not possible to say who was behind the incident.
