Moodubelle: Centenary banners stolen from the entrance of the Church and elsewhere

By Eugene Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 24 December 2010: In a daring act of hooliganism, some unknown miscreants have stolen centenary banners from outside, the main entrance of the Church, opposite the bus stand and some in Naalkubeedhi. The large banners with the entire programme from 25th December 2010 to 5th January  2011 and other banners from well-wishers to the celebration of the centenary year of the foundation of St. Lawrence Parish Belle were also stolen. It is suspected that some anti-social and anti-communal elements from outside the village may be behind this mischief to create communal tension in the village. It is believed that these banners have been stolen during the early hours of Friday, 24th December 2011.

 

As soon as it was detected that the banners  were stolen, a number people visited the church. The parish priest informed the matter to the police station at Shirva. The police Sub-Inspector K.R. Naik along with police constables visited the church to investigate the matter.

 

 

The parish priest and Henry Fernandes,  the Vice President of the Parish Pastoral Council told the SI that the church had taken the necessary permission to put up banners from the belle Grama Panchayat Office.

 

Devdas Hebbar expressed shock at the nefarious activities of the miscreants and said that Belle has been known for harmony and goodwill among different communities. He believes that this may be an act of noutsiders in view of the forthcoming Taluk and Zilla Panchayat elections in order to create confusion. He further said that such activities should be condemned strongly.

 

It is indeed a matter of great concern that the banners with the day-to-day  schedule of the centenary programmes should be stolen by unscrupulous elements. It is an attempt to tarnish the image of Belle as a village where there is communal harmony and goodwill, peace and cooperation.