Two people have been remanded and 32 others charged in connection with the alleged attack on police personnel at Marthoman Church, Mulanthuruthy, during the annual feast on Friday (December 19).

The historic church has been a source of contention for years but was handed over to the Orthodox faction of the Malankara Syrian Church following a 2017 Supreme Court verdict. The Jacobite group has its own place of worship near the old church, and a dispute over the procession during the festival sparked the clash between the group and police personnel posted to maintain order.