http://oheraldo.in/node/9662
Carambolim cross desecrated HERALD CORRESPONDENT OLD GOA, FEB 9 - A roadside cross was knocked off its pedestal along the Old Goa-Neura road at Carambolim, in the second such vandalism in the State barely within nine days. The cross was later re-installed on Thursday afternoon. Footprints were also noticed on the pedestal, which incidentally was whitewashed the previous day. Believed to be over 100 years old, the cross is located barely 1.5 kms from the Old Goa church complex. "The concrete cross was forcibly removed from the seven-foot pedestal and was placed on the ground sometime between Wednesday night and early Thursday morning," Old Goa PI V Karpe told Herald. An Old Goa police team, led by PI Karpe, went to the site and brought the defiled cross to the police station for safe custody. On hearing the news, Panjim SDPO Deu Benaulikar rushed to the scene of crime. "We are shocked at such incidents of vandalism and authorities should take stern action," Carambolim Sarpanch Wilson Valladares said. Mr Valladares, who has lodged a police complaint in this connection, later re-installed the cross at the same location. -- Peace be with you! Gabe Menezes. London, England
