rediff.com: Goa Church sees plot behind blast


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June 9, 2000

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Goa Church sees plot behind blast

Sandesh Prabhudesai in Panaji

The Goa Church said Thursday's blast in a Vasco church was "a plot against the minorities, aimed at disturbing the communal harmony of the state."

As the news of the blast spread today creating panic, the government and Church appealed to the people to remain calm.

"We will not leave a stone unturned in nabbing the culprits," Chief Minister Francisco Sardinha said.

The blast occurred at 10.50 am in St Andrews Church, just as students had got into their classes after recess. Nobody was injured since the country-made bomb was planted on a church window adjacent to the cemetery.

It has caused significant damage to the 300-year-old church, with the walls developing cracks. Some ancient paintings in the hall too have been damaged.

The state government has decided to extend an assistance of Rs 1 lakh to the church to carry out repairs.

With similar incidents in Karnataka and Hyderabad yesterday, the local police have become tight-lipped. "We are examining all possible angles," said Karnal Singh of the CID (Crime Branch).

"This has happened for the first time in Goa. This is because the Bharatiya Janata Party-ruled coalition government has come to power," said Luizinho Faleiro, Congress leader and former chief minister.

"It is not an accident, but much more than that. It appears that some people want to disturb the communal harmony and establish their rule here," alleged Father Carmo Martins, church spokesman, though he declined to name anybody.

The incident has been condemned by the Congress, the Nationalist Congress Party and Sardinha-led Goan Peoples' Congress.

The Bharatiya Janata Party, which shares power with Sardinha, has said it suspects Congress' hand behind the blast.

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