Thrissur: The office bearers of the Spirit in Jesus church on Saturday demanded that the cross that was pulled down by the revenue officials as part of an anti-encroachment drive should be rebuilt at the same place.
Talking at a press conference here, the office bearers, however, told reporters that the place where the cross stood is not theirs.
"For the past 60 years this place located on a hill top at Papathichola near Munnar has been in the possession of a person named Maria Susai, who is a member of the church and the 'cross' has been there for ages. Two years back he came up with a request that since the cross has become old and worn out, he wished to put up a new one. We supported the move. We wish to announce that our church or our leader Tom Zachariah does not own any illegal land," said officials of the church.
"Maria Susai got this property from his ancestors who owned it, and in this area none have got title deeds. His application for title deed has been with the state government since 1994 and no action has been taken. We also wish to state that this place has been frequented by many devotees from various churches as 'biblically' it's quite well known in our faith that God's position has always been on a hill top," added the representatives of Spirit in Jesus.
Meanwhile, after the cross was pulled down on Thursday a wooden cross was spotted since Friday at the same place. From Saturday onwards a team of police officials has been posted on duty at the hill top.