An altercation erupted between two factions in Thangammalpuram CSI Pastorate, allegedly in connection with the approaching election for the Thoothukudi-Nazareth CSI diocese. Two persons sustained knife injuries.
According to Thoothukudi Police, Sujith and Jebaraj of Thangammalpuram was allegedly attacked with a sharp-edged weapon and were taken to Thoothukudi Medical College Hospital for treatment while bleeding. Following that, one Pon Rathnaraj was allegedly assaulted by followers of Sujith and Jebaraj and rushed to the hospital. FIRs had been filed in both incidents, according to SP S Jeyakumar.
Sujith and Jebaraj were members of one faction led by lay secretary candidate Giftson, while Pon Rathinam was a member of another faction led by current lay secretary SDK Rajan, according to sources.
The factions are clashing after incumbent lay secretary Rajan removed over 400 legitimate voters from the voters’ list belonging to the opposite team ahead of the polls. Rajan, a prominent businessman in Thoothukudi, has led the CSI diocese’s district unit for the past two terms.
According to a former lay secretary who requested anonymity, Rajan faces fierce resistance from all parishes, and a large opposition faction has arisen against him because his administration has rendered the church bankrupt. As a result, he said, he had gotten rid of a lot of voters who he thought would vote against him.
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