Orthodox faction to keep off further talks

KOCHI: The row over the St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church, Kolenchery, took an unexpected turn on Saturday with protestors burning Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in effigy after another round of conciliation talks among the Orthodox and the Jacobite factions and the court-appointed mediators failed to bear fruit. It is learnt that the Orthodox faction has decided to keep off from further talks with the meeting having concluding without any result.Meanwhile, tension mounted in the area,  after public life had remained unaffected for much of the day despite there being no breakthrough in terms of settling the issue. It is also learnt that the Orthodox faction would continue their strike but will not be cooperating with the discussion to settle the issue. They are reportedly sticking to their stand that they would not accept any solution other than a compliance of the earlier court order in favour of them. The mediation committee appointed by the Kerala High Court will submit its recommendations on Monday. In the proceedings on Thursday, based on the reports of the observers and mediators, Justice Thottathil B Radhakrishnan had suggested that status quo could be maintained to enable the mediators to continue their efforts. The district collector  was asked to maintain law and order.