Over 100 tombstones vandalised in Goa

Over 100 tombstones in Muslim and Christian graveyards have been vandalised in a mining town in Goa, police said Monday.

The incidents took place in Curchorem, a mining town 50 km from here. The Goa government, headed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) that was voted to power less than a week ago, has announced a reward of Rs.50,000 to any informant coming forth with leads.

While 40 tombstones and headstones at the cemetery of the Guardian Angel church in Curchorem had been smashed early Sunday morning, 67 tombstones at the local ‘kabrastan’ had also been damaged, police inspector Tushar Lotlikar told IANS.

During the earlier Congress-led coalition regime, more than 40 instances of damage and desecration of small temples, churches and other places of worship across the state had come to light over a period of two years.

The incidents remain unsolved despite then chief minister Digambar Kamat setting up a special investigation team (SIT) headed by a top crime branch official.