ASIA/INDIA - Police arrest four suspects for murder of Catholic priest in Jharkhand

Wednesday, 14 September 2005

New Delhi (Fides Service) - Catholics in India expressed appreciation for swift action on the part of police with regard to the recent murder of a Catholic priest in Simdega, Jharkhand state. The Catholic priest Fr Ignatius Bara was brutally murdered on 12 September. Police have arrested four suspects, with the help of information from eyewitnesses.
The priest was stabbed to death after intervening to settle clashes between Tribal demonstrators discussing political representation and a gang of Shanti Sena Hindu fundamentalists opposed to development for Adivasi Tribals.
Catholics and other Christians in the area firmly denounced the murder, demanding immediate action on the part of the police and urging eyewitnesses to come forward to assist identification of the criminals.
Local Church sources say the priest was murdered by Hindu fundamentalists who took advantage of the situation to eliminate a member of the Catholic community known and disliked for promoting social and cultural development among poor people, Tribals in particolar, subverting India’s age old caste system.
Deep grief for the brutal attack on a priest working to promote justice and peace was expressed by Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop of the capital of Jharkhand state Ranchi and president of the Indian Bishops’ Conference, who called for an official investigation.
Local Christian leaders have urged the faithful to desist from any acts of retaliation which would only feed the spiral of violence and hatred and leave the police force and civil justice to do their job.(PA) (Agenzia Fides 14/9/2005 righe 25 parole 263)


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