Friday, September 05, 2008

Outcry grows after atrocities against Christians in Orissa

http://www.churchtimes.co.uk/content.asp?id=62826

[Church Times] 5 Sep 2008--Protests have mounted in Orissa against the wave of attacks by Hindu extremists against Christians, and the destruction of churches, homes, and businesses. The violence erupted in the wake of the murder by Maoist guer­rillas of a Hindu leader, Lakh­mananda Saraswati (News, 29 August).

Atrocities included the public hacking to death and burning of a diocesan executive of the Church of North India (CNI), who was for many years superintendent of a boys’ hostel near Raikia. Christians in Bolangir, the base of the diocese of Sambalpur, have described them­selves as living in constant fear.

Up to 20 people are known to have died in the violence, which is said now to be decreasing, although there are still fresh attacks in some areas. Security forces are thinly spread. An estimated 4000 Christians are re­ported to have been made homeless, and it is alleged that with little or no police protection, many frightened Christians have been forcibly “re­converted” to Hinduism.

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