Archive · 30 May 2025
Church Authorities Face Cases Over Cross, Land Dispute with Forest
Imagine a church put up a cross on some land.
The government's forest people came and took it down, saying it was forest land.
The church people said the land was theirs.
Then, the forest people gave the church people trouble by accusing them of doing wrong things.
The church people got upset, saying the forest people are being unfair and asked for help from higher-ups.
The church says they have proof the land belongs to them.
The government is now looking into who really owns the land to solve this problem.
Forest Department booked cases against Church authorities for erecting a cross and trespassing on forestland.
The Kothamangalam diocese alleges the cross was erected on Church-owned land and criticizes the Forest Department.
A cross erected by St. Thomas Church was removed by the Forest Department on April 12.
The Church organized a Way of the Cross procession after the cross was removed and another case was registered.
A joint verification by Revenue, Forest, and Police departments is planned to assess the land ownership.
- Who
- The Kothamangalam diocese under the Syro-Malabar Church and the Forest Department.
- What
- A dispute over land and the erection of a cross leading to cases being filed against Church authorities.
- When
- April 12, 2025, when the cross was removed and April 19, 2025, when the church procession was organized.
- Where
- Naranganam, near Thommankuth.
- Why
- The Forest Department booked cases against Church authorities for erecting a cross and alleged trespassing on forestland.
Kothamangalam Diocese
Forest Department
Land Ownership
Kothamangalam Diocese
The land belongs to the Church.
Forest Department
The area is forestland.
Actions by Forest Department
Kothamangalam Diocese
The Forest Department illegally demolished the cross and registered cases.
Forest Department
The department only issued a notice for the incident and did not arrest any people.
- Published
- May 30, 2025
- Church Involved
- Kothamangalam diocese
- Department Involved
- Forest Department
- Location
- Naranganam, near Thommankuth
- Charges
- Trespassing and cross erection
- Recent Developments
- Joint verification by various departments is planned