Kozhikode: Cemetery dug up for mining

KOZHIKODE: The dead cannot rest in peace in the cemetery of Little Flower Church, Pushpagiri near Koodaranji here. Miscreants, allegedly with the blessings of the Church, have dug out the mortal remains of the dead to facilitate the functioning of a huge quarry project where the Church was running a quarry in the past, according to a complaint submitted by members of the parish to the district collector.

The land where the Church operated a quarry was sold years ago to a mining lobby which is on a land purchase spree in the area.

According to Vincent Kalappurayil, leader of Catholic Laymen’s Association, the tombs of his kith and kin were found broken and the bodies were missing. “This is the fate of many tombs, as the relatives of the deceased had opposed shifting them to the new cemetery,” he said.

“Without the permission of the Church, none would dare enter the cemetery, break open the consecrated tombs, humiliate the resting souls, pull out the dead bodies at odd hours and destroy crosses fitted on each tomb,” said A.S. Jose, another member of the parish who has been running from pillar to post seeking justice. The body of his mother-in-law has been missing and he found the tomb broken with remnants of the decayed bodies scattered here and there.

It was also alleged that over 70 acres of land have been already purchased by mining mafia adjacent to the Church land. Shomy Lucose, another member of the parish, is in search of the bodies of his parents, Lucose and mother Sicily.  “Though many were ready to shift the remnants to the new cemetery, I was not ready as I had purchased the tomb paying a huge sum to the parish,” he added. “I never thought the Church would treat the mortal remains of forefathers in such an inhuman way,” he said.

CLA chairman M.L. George told DC that the tombs of forefathers are sacred to the believers.  “As per their belief, all the dead would resurrect from the tomb on the final day,” he added.  

However, the diocese claimed that the shifting of the mortal remains was held on the basis of the decision taken at the general body of the parish.

Thamarassery diocese chancellor Fr Abraham Kavilpurayid-am told DC that the shifting of the cemetery was taken by the parish members and executed during the day with all mandatory ceremonies. “There is no need of secrecy in such matters,” he added.

Meanwhile, acting on the complaint collector Seeram Sambasiva Rao has directed the Thamarassery tahsildar to submit a report.