Velankanni Shrine must be saved: Church Leaders

Chennai – Christian leaders who have inspected the magnitude of the devastation caused by the earthquake and the tsunami in Tamil Nadu, have asked the local government, the Central Government and the international community to urgently devise measures to ensure that the sacred shrine of Our Lady of Good Health at the tsunami–ravaged Velankanni and the coastal churches at Tranquebar "are safe from any future tsunami or cyclone attack."

The leaders, who toured the tsunami–hit coastal belt of southern parts of the state, have suggested that measures could involve building of a jetty for fishermen as well as evolving a major project for installing a breakwater off the coast of Velankanni, according to a press release by All India Catholic Union (AICU) president Mr. John Dayal.

The leaders have also demanded that the work on the half–completed stone breakwater at Tarangambadi (Tranquebar) be taken up by the state government as soon as the relief operations are over.

The AICU president also voiced concerns about the manner of distribution of relief at Velankanni as the Dalits have been neglected and were facing problem with registering at relief camps.