KOCHI: Tension prevailed at St Mary’s Cathedral in Piravom (known as Valiyapally) for over an hour on Monday noon when police attempted to execute the Supreme Court order which said that the control of the cathedral should be given to Orthodox faction.Members of Jacobite faction protested, some even threatening suicide, when around 800 policemen, led by SP (rural) Rahul R Nair reached the cathedral around 2pm. With over 2,000 Jacobites protesting against the move, police had to return without implementing the SC verdict.A strong police contingent, accompanied by fire force and medical teams, had waited outside for hours and even spoke to church leaders, seeking cooperation in implementing the court order. The Jacobite faction locked the gates of the church from inside using 10 chains. When police tried to break the locks, a few Jacobites, including women, climbed atop the church’s bell tower and threatened suicide, following which police was forced to leave the area to prevent untoward events.“Four men, belonging to Jacobite faction, got atop the tower, poured kerosene and threatened to immolate if police went past the gate. At the same time, four women reached the terrace of the annexe building near the gate and threatened to jump. Some even rang the church bell as a mark of protest. As the situation turned violent, we left,” said Nair.Jacobites had asked the police to restrain themselves till the high court pronounced its decision on the petition filed by the Orthodox faction seeking police protection to take control of the cathedral. “HC is likely to declare its decision on Tuesday. Then why cannot the police wait till the verdict. We do not believe in violence and we have always been ready to resolve the issue through peaceful discussions. But, police are using force to unnecessarily create trouble by hurting the sentiments of Jacobites who have been praying here for centuries,” said Baselios Thomas I, the Catholicos of Jacobite church and head of Jacobite Syrian Church in India.The Supreme Court, in its order in 2017, ordered the Jacobite faction to handover the administration of the church to Orthodox faction. There were several mediation attempts by the district collector and senior police officers who convened a meeting with the representatives of both factions to ensure cooperation in the implementation of the court verdict. As talks failed, we decided to implement the verdict by using force, if needed, said Nair.“We cannot play with the SC verdict, we are bound to execute it. In the light of protest, the IG of Kochi Range will file an affidavit in the high court to inform the seriousness of the situation,” he added.The representatives of Orthodox faction said that they were ready to take charge and were waiting for the police to evacuate Jacobites. “As they staged a suicide-bid drama and forced the police to withdraw, we do not want to create an untoward situation. Let the high court decide. We are ready to wait one more day,” said Mathews Mar Severios, Metropolitan of Kandanad West diocese.Piravom MLA Anoop Jacob said government should reach an amicable settlement with both factions before implementing the court order.Meanwhile, Piravom police registered a case against eight Jacobites, who tried to commit suicide, under IPC Section 309. Cases were also registered against protesters on charges of unlawful assembly, rioting, violating high court verdict, etc.

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