The Orthodox and the Jacobite factions have set afire a new row at the St Mary’s Church at Pazhamthottam near Puthen Kurish on Saturday, when the two groups fought over a
burial.
The funeral arranged by the Jacobite faction was also interrupted by the Puthen Kurish police, as the church is already sealed by the RDO.
The Jacobite faction fought with the police for an hour, as the cops attempted to stop the funeral.
The faction was trying to carry out the burial of one Thomas of Pazhamthottam who died on Saturday morning. According to the RDO order, the church cannot be used for any ceremonies.
However, the cops have not arrested anybody in connection with the violence. “We stopped the funeral as it is against the order.
No activities could be held on the church premise as it will invite protest from the other faction,” said sub-inspector of Puthen Kurish police.
However, the Jacobite faction and the family of the deceased person were staging a protest near the church, saying that the body would not be buried, until they were given permission to bury the body in the church cemetery.