Kochi: The Ernakulam district collector took control of Piravom St. Mary’s Church in Kerala amidst dramatic scenes on Thursday following a High Court order to implement the Supreme Court verdict and submit a report by 1.45 pm.
The wailing and shouting protesters of the Jacobite faction along with bishops and priests were arrested and removed by a strong contingent of police ending the stand-off between the rival groups of Malankara Church.
The Jacobites had locked the gates of the church on Tuesday night and were holding a ‘prayer protest’ inside the church in the presence of Catholicos Baselios Thomas-I, metropolitan trustee Joseph Mar Gregorios and other senior members of the Church.
Collector S. Suhas sealed the gates and the rooms of the church and the keys will be submitted to the High Court on Friday. The members of the Orthodox faction, who were staging a sit-in protest to enter the church, ended it following discussions with the police officials.
The police swung into action following the High Court fixing a deadline to remove the Jacobite group from the church premises.
Although the cops requested them to vacate the premises, they refused to budge and the police forced open the gates with chain cutters.
They first arrested the metropolitans and priests before removing the members of the laity from the spot. The entire operation was conducted peacefully as the Jacobite bishops said they will not create any law and order problems. A total of 67 people were arrested and removed from the premises. They were later released on bail.
The police and the district administration handled a highly tense situation in a deft manner amidst emotional scenes with priests and nuns weeping openly.
The members of the Orthodox group came to celebrate Mass on Wednesday as per the apex court order. But they were unable to enter the church and staged a sit-in protest.
The group then approached the High Court which directed the civil authorities to take steps to implement the SC verdict.
