Church alleges foul play in Ranchi school fire

A conspiracy is involved in a fire that destroyed important school documents in a principal's office in Jharkhand says church people.

St. Xavier's school in Mandar is a Christian educational institution located next to the St Aloysius church under Ranchi diocese. Vandalized for the second time, the fire destroyed the school's valuable documents including the student's certificates and teacher’s records.

UCA news quoted Father Pradeep Tirkey, the school's headmaster lamenting, ever since the church opened the school in 1971, "this was second time vested interested" have set fire to the office.

The first incident, in 1975, also destroyed records the school had until then. This time, he said, "we had records from 1976, but all is now lost forever."

Father Tirkey said a police case has been registered, so it is the police who should bring out the suspects. "But from past attacks on Church institutions, we know what the result will be," he added. "The police may arrest some of our own boys to fulfill their duty, and we will never know the real culprits."

Cardinal Telesphore Toppo, Archbishop of Ranchi, expressed shock over the incident and described it as the work of criminals. "Some forces are behind it and we demand the administration bring them to light," he said. Thieves normally would not burn valuable school documents, he added. "This is a very serious issue."

Meanwhile, police has not permitted the Christians in the diocese to stage a silent procession and hold a public meeting this week. The school has been closed for further investigation.