Christon Menezes of Derebail elected unopposed as President of Indian Catholic Youth Movement
Cordel, Kulshekar: The Indian Catholic Youth Movement (ICYM) City Deanery held its annual meeting and elections on June 16, 2024, in the mini hall of Holy Cross Church, Cordel, Kulshekar. The meeting commenced promptly at 4:00 PM, with the election process starting at 4:45 PM.
The ICYM City Deanery includes 12 parishes, namely Angelore, Bajal, Bajjodi, Bondel, Cordel, Derebail, Fermai, Kelrai, Neermarga, Paldane, Shaktinagar, and Vamanjoor. The gathering was graced by the presence of several notable dignitaries, including Terrance Crasta, the deanery representative from the diocese; Rev Fr Paul Sebastin Dsouza, Director of ICYM City Deanery; V Rev Fr James Dsouza, Vicar Forane; Rev Fr Vijay Monteiro, Assistant Parish Priest of Cordel; Fr Clifford Fernandes, Parish Priest of Cordel; Ashton Dsouza, past president of ICYM City Deanery; and Ashlin Dsouza, past secretary of ICYM City Deanery.
Mr. Terrance Crasta led the election procedure, overseeing the selection of candidates for 12 key positions. The election saw enthusiastic participation, with 12 candidates vying for various posts.
The newly elected office bearers for the ICYM City Deanery are:
- President: Christon Menezes
- Vice President: Shannon Pinto
- Lady Vice President: Payal Lobo
- Secretary: Rishal Monteiro
- Joint Secretary: Lishon Pinto
- Treasurer: Joel Dsouza
- Social Cause Secretary: Veron Pinto
- Liturgy Secretary: Sweedal Pinto
- Cultural Secretary: Ashton Mascarenhas
- Red Drop Representative: Vileesha Braggs
- PRO: Stan Dsouza
These newly elected members will represent the City Deanery at the diocesan level. Each of the dignitaries extended their congratulations to the new office bearers, wishing them success in their upcoming term.
The program concluded with a victory speech by Christon Menezes, the newly elected President, who expressed his gratitude and outlined his vision for the future activities of ICYM City Deanery.
The event marked a significant step forward for the youth movement, promising dynamic leadership and dedicated service in the year ahead.
Elections held on June 16 at, 2024, at Kulshekar -Cordel Church Mini Hall saw Christon Menezes secure the presidency without opposition. The student community celebrates this significant achievement,marking a new chapter for youth leadership.
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Explosive device kills 13, injures 38 on bus in southwestern Colombia as violence persists
Bogota (Colombia) (PTI): An explosive device killed 13 people travelling on a bus in southwestern Colombia on Saturday, an attack the country's army chief described as a “terrorist act" that also left at least 38 injured as violence linked to drug trafficking in the region escalates.
Octavio Guzman, the governor of the region of Cauca, said on X that the device was set off while the bus was travelling along the Panamerican Highway in the municipality of Cajibio. Five children were among the injured, Cauca Health Secretary Carolina Camargo told Noticias Caracol, a TV news program.
Gen. Hugo Lopez, commander of Colombia's Armed Forces, told a news conference that it was a “terrorist act" and blamed the network of a man known as “Ivan Mordisco” — one of Colombia's most wanted figures — and the Jaime Martínez faction. Both are dissidents of the now-defunct Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia that operate in the region.
Neither Ivan Mordisco nor the Jaime Martínez faction abide by the peace agreement signed with the state in 2016.
Colombian President Gustavo Petro condemned the attack on X.
“Those who carried out the attack and killed seven civilians — and wounded 17 others — in Cajibío — many of them Indigenous people — are terrorists, fascists, and drug traffickers,” he wrote.
The attack is the latest in a spate of explosions that have attempted to target public infrastructure. At least 26 incidents have taken place in the past two days in southwestern Colombia, which Lopez said have only affected civilians.
They included a shooting at a police station in the rural area of Jamundi, and an attack on a Civil Aviation radar facility in El Tambo, where authorities took down three explosives-laden drones earlier on Saturday. No one was hurt.
On Friday, two vehicles rigged with explosives were detonated near military units in Cali and Palmira, causing material damage.
The escalation of violence in that region — a territory contested by illegal armed groups linked to drug trafficking — prompted the mobilisation of high-ranking officials on Saturday. Led by Defence Minister Pedro Sanchez, the delegation that includes regional governors and local authorities, was meeting in Palmira when the deadly explosion occurred.
“These criminals seek to instil fear, but we will respond with firmness,” Sanchez said on X.
Meanwhile, Francisca Toro, governor of Valle del Cauca, has called upon the national government to provide “immediate support.” In a message on X, Toro called for a reinforcement of public security forces, enhanced intelligence operations and “decisive actions” against crime in the face of a “terrorist-level escalation.”
According to authorities, Cauca and Valle del Cauca serve as a critical hub for illicit activities of illegal armed groups vying for control over sea and river access routes leading to the port of Buenaventura — a key transit point used to traffic drugs to Central America and Europe.
The government has also offered a reward of more than 1 million dollars for information leading to the capture of “Marlon,” who is identified as the leader of the region's dissident group. On Friday, local authorities offered more than USD 14,000 for information leading to the identification and location of those behind the attacks in Cali and Palmira.
