Jan. 19 (CWNews.com) - Two police officials in India's southern Kerela state were suspended on January 18 after public protests over an assault on a Catholic priest.

Father George Kadambookad, vicar of St. Sebastian Church at Aranmula near Pathanamthitta, was reportedly battered by the policemen after the priest was stopped for riding a bike with two others, including his brother, while returning from an evening parish celebration.

As the news of the assault on the priest spread, parishioners rushed to the police station and laid siege to it in the middle of the night. Following the strong public protest, senior officials who rushed to the spot suspended the two Hindu police officers who were said to be guilty of the assault.