Police protection sought for Holy Week in Hyderabad

(April 1, 2010) The head of the Catholic Church in southern India’s Andhra Pradesh state has sought police protection to be able to celebrate Holy Week services in the wake of recent sectarian violence in the state capital, Hyderabad. Archbishop Marampudi Joji of Hyderabad sought police protection after the city witnessed Hindu-Muslim violence in the last week of March. Police clamped curfew in violence-hit old city areas and imposed prohibitory orders which bans assembly of more than five people. The Archbishop said several of his parishes have requested him to seek police protection for Good Friday services, which normally include a procession through public streets. Archbishop Joji told UCA News that Christians in areas where curfew was imposed will “find it difficult to attend the Holy Week prayer.” He has asked some parishes not to have processions and for congregations to go home quietly after religious ceremonies. Police relaxed curfew in few areas on April 1 morning after the situation improved. The archbishop said last week’s sectarian flare-up was political rather than religious. Police have identified two municipal councilors for instigating the riots.UCAN - Police protection sought for Holy Week in Hyderabad