KOCHI: After a short interval, the feud between the two factions of the Malankara Syrian Christian Church was taken to the streets with both factions manhandling each other at Kanyatunirappu on Sunday. Puthencruz CI Biju K Stephen, who tried to control the mob was beaten up with an iron rod.
The CI, who suffered serious injuries on his head is undergoing treatment at the Medical Mission Hospital, Kolenchery. Hospital authorities said that he is in the intensive care unit, and his condition is stable. Two civil police officers who have been injured were admitted to Vadavukode Government Hospital.
A dispute over hoisting the flag for the feast which is to begin on Thursday, led to the clash.
Kanyatunirappu St Mary’s Church is one of the churches for which both factions have been staking claims. The parish includes people belonging to both the factions. However, the worship-related matters are carried out by a priest of the Orthodox faction. The issue began when the priest came to hoist the flag after the Mass on Sunday. The Jacobite faction opposed this.
The Jacobite faction is of the opinion that the Orthodox faction has no right to hoist the flag. The church in fact wholly belongs to the Orthodox faction. Since the ownership is under dispute, the keys of the church have been in the custody of the Puthencruz police since 1998.
“The issue began when the Jacobites prevented us from hoisting the flag. They also rammed into the church and destroyed the articles in it and manhandled the CI, who tried to control them,” said Fr Abraham Karamel, secretary of Kandanad East diocese of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
The Jacobite faction alleged that the Orthodox faction was trying to encroach upon their churches eying Piravom bypoll.
“On Sunday they deliberately manhandled our people to create a problem,” said Fr Varghese Kallappara, spokesperson of Jacobite Syrian Christian Church.