Munnar: Just a day after revenue department officials in Munnar initiated the process of razing a massive Christian cross that was allegedly illegally erected, a five foot wooden cross appeared at the same location on April 21.

However, by next morning, the wooden cross had vanished. Police have arrested two people in connection with this incident.

Both of them were arrested from the vehicle of Tom Zachariah, the founder of Spirit of Jesus church, which had erected the earlier cross. Spirit of Jesus Church however denied any involvement with the incident.

A Special Branch police team headed by  A D Mohandas arrested the accused and they are being questioned.

In an anti-encroachment drive that began early on April 20 , a team led by Devikulam revenue department had reportedly reached the spot in Pappathichola a little after 7.30 am. Following this, they initiated the process of bringing down the 25-feet tall cross with the help of earth movers.This is said to be a continuation of the anti-encroachment drive being carried out in Munnar under the instruction of Devikulam Sub-Collector Sriram Venkitaraman.

Besides the removal of cross, some thatched sheds and a prayer hall were also reportedly demolished. Earlier on Friday, Tom Zachariah of the group was booked in connection with the erection of the cross. Police said a case has been lodged against him under section 447 (criminal trespass) of the IPC and under provisions of Land Conservancy Act on the basis of a complaint filed by an additional tahsildar. Police also took two persons under their custody on Saturday.

Marxist party  leader V S Achuthanandan,  meanwhile, said that encroachments in any form , needs to be condemned. “All encroachments should be removed,” he said.

Reflecting on the issue, the Congress party led UDF said the manner in which the cross was uprooted was ‘unethical’.

On the other hand, the Syro Malabar church questioned the manner in which the cross was removed. Archbishop Cardinal George Alencherry, however, said erecting a Cross after encroaching forest land cannot be justified.