THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Four persons, including a couple, their kid and a youth from Kasargod, were reportedly killed in the US attack on Islamic State (IS) camp at the Nangarhar province of Afghanistan recently. The couple and the youth were among the 22 Keralites who had joined the IS in 2016. They were suspected to be Shihas, his wife Ajmala, their child and a youth Muhammad Mazad. They hailed from Padanna and Trikkarippur areas of Kasargod.
According to top police sources, they had received information about a week back that three of a family and another person, all hailing from Kasargod, were killed in the US attack. “Though there was no official communication to the families or the police yet, the information was from reliable sources. The central agencies were trying to confirm it,” said top police sources. The NIA had earlier confirmed that the group of 22 had joined IS and reached Afghanistan. They were reported missing since June 2016. Earlier also, several Keralites who joined the IS were reportedly killed.
The apex court said since the matter was scheduled to come before the High Court, it would not interfere in the case for the time being. Dr. Thomas Tharayil, auxiliary bishop of Changanassery archdiocese, meanwhile, has made a veiled attack against the priests involved in the campaign against the cardinal. By indirectly referring to the controversy over the land deals, he said it was a matter of regret that a section of the priests was giving leadership to shame the Church before society.
The Joint Christian Council (JCC), an activist group demanding reforms in the Church administration, has called for the resignation of the cardinal in the wake of the comments made by him. “The cardinal has openly debunked the Constitution of India and misinterpreted the Bible for the purpose. He is not fit to hold the positions entrusted to him at the moment,” said Felix J. Pulludan, advisor to the JCC. Earlier, the members of the JCC held a procession before the Archbishop’s House in Kochi demanding that he should step down from the position.
"Don't misinterpret Cardinal's speech"
The Syro-Malabar Church has urged the media not to misinterpret the speech of Cardinal George Alenchery. In a statement Fr. Jimmy Poochakkatt, spokesman of the Syro-Malabar Church, has said it is factually incorrect to interpret that Cardinal Alenechry has spoken against the legal system in the country. “There was no such indication in the speech of the Cardinal. The message in the speech is that complete justice will be available only according to the laws of the God”, Fr. Poochakkat said. He also added that Cardinal spoke to Christian believers at the Kokkamangalam Church. The spokesperson also said that it is not right to misinterpret the words spoken on a faith related matter.
