Pro Hindu outfit calls for 12 hr bandh in Thrissur dist

: A pro-Hindu protagonist outfit has called for a 12-hour hartal in Thrissur district tomorrow in protest against the 'attitude' of police in connection with conduct of a procession in connection with 'Fiesta' of Saint Sebastin at Saint Antony's Catholic Church at nearby Murkanad.
Police said some activists objected to passage of the procession through Murkand Aalumparambu temple premises late last night on the ground that temple authorities had not given permission for its passage.
Church authorities however said they had taken permission from the temple authorities to let the procession pass through the temple and that it was the practice for several years.

When the activists blocked the procession, police used force to make way for the procession in which four activists suffered minor injuries.
Twenty two others have been taken into custody, they said.
The outfit claimed they had the temple authorities' order cancelling the earlier one and so had objected to the procession and alleged police was not willing to accept this.

Police said they allowed the procession to pass through the temple premises on the strength of the order of the temple authorities.
Meanwhile,three chapels under jurisdiction of Irinjalakuda Catholic diocese in the town, at Puloor and Avittathoor were damaged late last night allegedly by the activists reportedly as a fallout of the police action.

Police said a section of the activists had encroached the church's 'Way of Cross' procession on April 11 and recited hyms without any provocation.
Diocesan spokesman Fr Joju Kutikad said complaints had been lodged with the respective police stations.
Police said a peaceful atmosphere prevails over Moorkanad area and situation is under control.