Thiruvananthapuram: Believers of Neyyatinkara Latin Catholic diocese staged a road blockade at Vithura on Saturday protesting the demolition of crosses they installed on forest land at Anappara near Boncaud. Forest department officials which had recently attempted to remove the structures claimed they had not conducted the demolition. Believers claimed that the two crosses, which were initially wooden ones were present here since 1956. During annual Kurishumala pilgrimage around thousands believers trek up the path on the eve of Good Friday.
A local parish priest, Fr Shajkumar who was part of the protest had claimed that a status quo was in place over the decision to demolish the structure. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was expected to meet them on the issue on Sunday. A section of believers suspect foul play in the removal of the cross. The Forest department has launched an inquiry to find out whether anyone had trespassed into the land on Friday night or on the wee hours of Saturday.
