ICC Note:
A Christian cemetery in Belgaum, India was attacked and vandalized earlier this week with over a dozen crosses installed over grave sites being broken or uprooted. Also, a waiting room inside the cemetery was also found to be burnt. Many Christians in the area believe this to be the work of local Hindu radicals attempting the damage the feelings of the Christian community. Local church leadership have contacted the police who are investigating the matter.
9/10/2015 India (UCAN) – Vandals have attacked a Catholic cemetery in Belgaum breaking and uprooting over a dozen crosses installed atop graves.
Some of the graves inside the cemetery in Bharatnagar of Shahapur had also been damaged and a waiting room inside the cemetery was found burnt. Empty liquor bottles and other material were found littered in the room, the Hindu newspaper reported.
The incident came to light on Monday morning when a group of people went to the cemetery to prepare a grave for a deceased person. The matter was brought to the notice of the Christian priests and community leader and the police.
Police in Shahapur have registered a case and launched investigation.
Bishop Peter Machado of Belgaum said the incident had hurt the community, which treats its cemetery as the “second holiest place, after the church.”
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