Priest hurt in attack, two arrested

KOTTAYAM: Changanassery police have arrested two men for allegedly assaulting and injuring an assistant vicar on Tuesday. One of their accomplices is on the run.
Identifying the accused as Ratheesh (27) and Afsal (25), police said they attacked Fr Tom Kottathil (35) of St Joseph's Church, Veroor, Changanassery, a little past midnight. The attack took place at Madakkumood on Vazhoor Road on Tuesday.
The accused and their aide were standing near an ATM when the priest was riding a two-wheeler back to church. Sensing that their presence had made the priest suspicious, they chased and attacked him.
Fr Kottathil has been admitted to Chethipuzha St Thomas Hospital.
In protest against the attack, a citizens' forum has called for a hartal in Changanassery on Wednesday.