The district administration has initiated talks to resolve the ownership dispute surrounding St. John’s Bethlehem Church at Piramadam near Muvattupuzha, which escalated into a physical clash on Sunday. A meeting with representatives of the two factions is scheduled to be held on Friday, with the Muvattupuzha tehsildar or the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO) set to convene the discussion. Further meetings may be held if required, with the District Collector prepared to intervene if the issue escalates.
The police have registered two first information reports, booking a total of 22 people, including priests from both factions, based on complaints from the opposing groups under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. District officials have initiated conciliatory measures even as the Ramamangalam police registered two cases over clashes between members of the Syrian Jacobite and Malankara Orthodox factions of the Church. The District Collector will meet with the disputants if the issue is not resolved through the initial meetings.
