Church attack: Christians welcome decision to withdraw cases

MANGALORE: The Christians, on whom criminal cases were lodged after the attack on places of worship in Mangalore in 2008, have heaved a sigh of relief following State government’s decision to withdraw all the 23 cases against Christians on Thursday, but not all are pleased about the decision that took so long to come.
Mangalore Diocese Bishop Rev Aloysius Paul D’Souza welcomed the decision saying the youth who were worried about their future now can rest easy. He urged the government to issue a notification to this effect so on.
Advocate Ivan D’Souza, who is handling majority of the criminal cases, said he was glad about the government’s decision, but it has come too late as for three years the youth had undergone needless mental harassment. "Many people could not go abroad because of this. We have been pressurizing the government from the past three years. At last government has realized they are innocent and they have suffered a lot. The youth have undergone tremendous mental harassment. There were totally 45 cases involving 235 individuals and about 143 have already got release orders. Even on Friday there was an acquittal,’’ he said. He urged the government to issue the notification soon.
MP Noronha, one of the memorialists for the victims during the Justice B K Somashekara Commission of Inquiry which probed the incidents related to the attacks, said that it is unfortunate that the decision took so long. "The government appointed commission in its interim report had recommended withdrawal of cases in January 2010. But still it took so long,’’ he rued. He claimed that they would have got acquittal all those who were charged under various cases. "But still I welcome the government’s move ending the uncertainty,’’ he said.
Stany D’Souza, whose hearing was in January next year, said he was glad of the government’s decision,. "But many youth have suffered. I remember two youth who come from Vamanjoor to participate in the protest and was booked. One had a job in the Gulf and the other had to go in a month to join duty. Though he pleaded with the police that he had not done anything and not to register a case, they did and their life has been ruined. Hope they will be able to rebuild it,’’ he added.