Panaji: A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Goa Police has arrested a 50-year-old man in connection a series of cases of alleged desecration of holy crosses in South Goa district, a senior officer said today.
The accused confessed to vandalising 12 crosses in South Goa in the past fortnight, the police officer claimed.
Francis Pereira, a native of Curchorem village in South Goa, was arrested last night while he was trying to desecrate a cross at Curtorim village, nearly 20 kms from his resident.
"A police team spotted Pereira trying to damage the Cross. However, on seeing the policemen, he tried to escape from the spot. After a brief chase, police nabbed him," the senior police officer told PTI.
The police officer expressed confidence that with the arrest of Pereira, other cases of desecration of crosses in the recent past, would also be cracked.
Police are conducting a search at Pereira's residence in Curchorem, where he lives with his family.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said he would address the media over the issue this afternoon.
Besides the crosses, around 50 gravestones were also damaged in Curchorem village last Sunday.
In view of the incidents of defiling of religious symbols, Mr Parrikar had last week held a high a high-level meeting with police officials.
He asked all the police stations in the state to form special investigation teams to nab the accused at the earliest.
The accused confessed to vandalising 12 crosses in South Goa in the past fortnight, the police officer claimed.
Francis Pereira, a native of Curchorem village in South Goa, was arrested last night while he was trying to desecrate a cross at Curtorim village, nearly 20 kms from his resident.
"A police team spotted Pereira trying to damage the Cross. However, on seeing the policemen, he tried to escape from the spot. After a brief chase, police nabbed him," the senior police officer told PTI.
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The police officer expressed confidence that with the arrest of Pereira, other cases of desecration of crosses in the recent past, would also be cracked.
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Police are conducting a search at Pereira's residence in Curchorem, where he lives with his family.
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Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar said he would address the media over the issue this afternoon.
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Besides the crosses, around 50 gravestones were also damaged in Curchorem village last Sunday.
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In view of the incidents of defiling of religious symbols, Mr Parrikar had last week held a high a high-level meeting with police officials.
He asked all the police stations in the state to form special investigation teams to nab the accused at the earliest.
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