In a troubling incident that has sent shockwaves through the Kayts community, eight individuals, including the Chief Organiser of the National People’s Power (NPP) in Kayts, have been arrested in connection with an act of vandalism at the Melingimunai Narayampathi Matha temple.
The arrests were made on 26 July following a police complaint filed by the temple’s chief priest, who reported the destruction of a statue of the Virgin Mary valued at approximately Rs. 5 million.
The statue, said to have been brought from India, was a revered object of worship at the temple.
According to police sources, the incident stemmed from a confrontation that occurred in the evening prior to the act of vandalism.
A group of individuals had been hosting a party in close proximity to the temple grounds, during which they reportedly engaged in disorderly and indecent behaviour.
When temple authorities intervened and requested that the group vacate the premises, tensions escalated.
Later that night, a group of suspects allegedly entered the church and deliberately damaged the Virgin Mary statue, along with other property within the temple premises. The motive is believed to be linked to the earlier altercation.
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