Bhopal : 30/03/2011, A catholic priest, Fr. Sebastian Kaiparambil aged about 45, was attacked in Badwha, Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh. The incident took place around 2.30 am in the early morning of today. He was sleeping in his room while three unidentified persons entered in his room. They beat him up and he is admitted in Chauitram Hospital, Indore. He is under going treatment for head injury. The culprits have stolen around fifty thousand rupees and two mobiles too.
Public Relation Officer of the Khandwa Diocese, Fr. Philip Kadthanam who visited the incident site said, “incident is very serious, he is very badly beaten.” He said that there is also an anxiety that whether a dismissed teacher a day before is involved in the incident. While beating him they were asking him to hand over the documents, but they did not specify what documents they are looking for.”
The principal of the school Sr. Rita said, “the teacher was dismissed upon the numberless complaints from the parents and teachers. He has been served notices many times but we are not sure whether he is involved in the incident.”
He is the Parish Priest of St. Mary’s Church and manager of the St. Mary’s Convent School in the Diocese of Khandwa for the last just one year. Bishops Dr. Durairaj, while condemning the incident said that Father Sebastian is a very active missionary, his relations with people are very good.”
Town Inspector, Mansingh Takur, told, “we are looking into all possibilities, even though the name of the doubtful teacher is not mentioned , we are also investigating the matter. We are also taking all steps possible to nab the culprits. We will also give sufficient security to Christians.”
Meanwhile Archbishop Dr. Leo Cornelio, Chairman of the Bishops Council, M.P, has submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister sitting present beating up of the Priest and the recent incident of Statue break at Jhabua (18/03/2011),where so far no one has been arrested. We are not sure of the persons involved in the incident of beating up of Fr. Sebastian but we are worried about the incident. It is to be noted that every time during the major Christian Festivals we face these types of incidents so we have approached the administration to nab the culprits and provide security to Christians in the State.
It is to be recalled that the Bishops Council of Madhya Pradesh, Fr. Anand Muttungal, has already filed a cases in the Madhya Pradesh High Court asking to take action on the erring officials in taking action against the people who attacked the Christians in the State for the last five years. The Council is thinking of brining theses incidents to the notice of the Court if the police fail to take proper action on the culprits.
Fr. Anand Muttungal
PRO & Spokesperson
Catholic Council of Bishops, M.P
