Attack on school: Bishops, priests observe fast

Chennai, Dec 3 (UNI) More than 300 bishops and priests today observed a day-long fast to condemn the recent attack on the government-aided Fatima Girls Higher Secondary School, triggered by the mysterious death of a plus two girl student, at Omalur in Salem district of Tamil Nadu.

The fast was organised under the banner of Tamil Nadu Catholic Church.

Speakers at the venue, including sisters and fathers, alleged that the attack was instigated by some vested interests and urged the government to identify the culprits and arrest them.

The incident only showed that Christians in the state were feeling insecure, they claimed.

They also urged the government to give Rs 1.5 crore as compensation for the damages caused to the school property during the violence and withdrawal of the FIR registered against the school.

It may be recalled that the girl Sukanya, staying in the School Hostel, was reported missing on November 16 and her body was found floating near the school well two days later.

This triggered violent reactions from the locals which went on the rampage and attacked the school premises.

A probe by the State Minorities Commission revealed that the girl's death was a suicide and the attacks were engineered by some miscreants. The commission in its report, submitted to Chief Minister M Karunanidhi, said properties worth Rs 1.5 crore were damaged in the violent incidents.

The School was closed following the incidents and was reopened on December one amid tight security.

UNI GV AJ RL BS1432