A shocking act of vandalism has rocked the island’s north, with the National People’s Power Party (NPP) Kayts organizer and eight others arrested for storming into a revered church in a drunken state and destroying a Virgin Mary statue worth Rs. 5 million. The suspects, who confessed to the crime, had allegedly held a boisterous drinking session near the church before violently clashing with temple priests. The Kayts police have launched full investigations and will present the suspects in court, rejecting their plea for release despite their admissions of guilt. This disgraceful incident raises serious questions about political accountability and respect for religious sanctity.
The chief organizer of the National People’s Power Party (NPP) in Kayts, along with eight others, has been arrested following a disgraceful incident involving damage to a church and its sacred icons. The suspects were apprehended on July 26 after police launched an investigation into vandalism reported at the Melingimunai Narayampathi Matha Church in Kayts.
According to the complaint filed by the church’s priest, a statue of the Virgin Mary, imported from India and valued at approximately Rs. 5 million, was destroyed in a deliberate act of desecration. Additional church property was also damaged during the attack.
Investigations revealed that the suspects had been holding a loud drinking party adjacent to the church premises. Their indecent behavior prompted the clergy to ask them to vacate the area. The situation escalated when the group, led by the NPP organizer, returned later that night in a drunken state and forcibly entered the church.
Inside, they vandalized the Virgin Mary statue and caused further destruction. All eight individuals arrested have admitted guilt and pleaded with the police for their release. However, law enforcement officials have taken a firm stance, confirming that the suspects will be produced before the Kayts court.
The incident has sparked outrage among local communities and religious leaders, with many calling for swift legal action and condemning the blatant disrespect toward a sacred religious institution. The police have assured that full legal procedures will be followed and that such acts of violence and political lawlessness will not be tolerated.
