The believers tried to break the police blockade after which the police resorted to lathi charge. (Photo: ANI)

A clash broke out between people under the Neyyattinkara diocese and the police at Bonacaurd in Thiruvananthapuram district today. At least 30 people including 7 policemen sustained injuries after the clash turned violent.

The believers were carrying out a procession towards the hill top -Kurishumala, which they consider a place of worship. The march was stopped midway by the police citing a High Court order which asked the state government to maintain status quo in the case. It led to an altercation between the belivers and the police.

The believers tried to break the police blockade after which the police resorted to lathi charge. It later turned violent with the participants in the procession taking to stone pelting.

KURISHUMALA CONTROVERSY

Few months back, a cross at the Kurishumala- which was worshipped by the believers- was destroyed. The forest officials claimed that the wooden cross was damaged after lightning struck the area.

However, the believers alleged that the forest officials cooked up a story after the cross was destroyed by their officers.