MEMORANDUM TO THE GOVERNOR OF ORISSA

At the culmination of the Protest and Prayer Rally of the Christians of Delhi and National Capital Region at Orissa Bhawan on 29th August 2008, and the closure of all Christian institutions in the country in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in the State

To
His Excellency Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare
The Governor of Orissa
Bhubaneswar

Sir,

In deep anguish and pain, We, the Christian Community of the Delhi and National Capital Region, submit this memorandum to you, and not to the Chief Minister of Orissa, because we believe that by not stopping the
Ethnic Cleansing of Christians in Orissa in the last six days, he has abdicated his Constitutional duties to the Sangh Parivar and thereby has forfeited his right to be in Government.

We therefore approach you, as the Constitutional Head of the State of Orissa and protector of the rights of the State’s citizens irrespective of their religion, caste or ethnic status, to restore sanity, peace, and the Rule of Law in the State, protect the life, liberty and property of the Christian community, specially in Kandhamal and other affected districts.

As you know, in the last six days in the second wave of mass violence since Christmas 2007, almost a score of Christian men and women have been brutally killed in acts reminiscent of the massacre of the Sikhs in Delhi and other places in 1984, and of the Muslims in 1993 in
Mumbai and 2002 in Gujarat.

Nuns have been raped, pastors, Priests, religiousworkers injured in their hundreds. Over forty churches have been destroyed, many for the second time, apart from once again hundreds upon hundreds of houses burnt in towns, villages and forest settlements. Christians have been chased and hunted like animals. In case your intelligence apparatus has not briefed you properly, we attach herewith an incomplete list of the murder and mayhem in Orissa, as we gather data from the victims
and the kin of the dead.

There is no element of doubt as to who is the perpetrator of the violence. It is the Sangh Parivar, and its component elements, the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad, the Bajrang Dal and the Vanvasi Kalyan Sangh, and especially groups connected with the ashrams of the late VHP Vice president Lakshmanananda Saraswati.

VHP leaders, including Mr. Praveen Togadia have openly called for ethnic cleansing, and others have vowed not to rest from their bloody labours till they have rid Orissa of Christians.

The police have looked on for six months. They have often abetted in the violence and never intervened to save the hapless Christians and their institutions.

Instead, the official machinery and the top policemen and bureaucrats have parroted the lies of the Hindutva Sangh Parivar and its narrow definition of religious nationalism to pin the blame of the acrimony on the Christians.

If the Chief minister and his government have forfeited their right to govern, the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Director General of Police have lost their right to be in active service. It is a shame they continue to be in office, and speaks volumes for the conspiracy between the Government, the coalition partner Bharatiya Janata party and the State official apparatus against the Christian community and the Christian Faith.

The state apparatus has failed thrice – to protect the Christians in December 2007, to protect the late VHP leader and unravel the mystery of his murder, and then to once again protect the Christians facing annihilation in August 2008.

We therefore call upon you as Governor to:

1.      Write to the President of India to impose President’s Rule in Orissa, and that you take over the reigns of Governance so that peace is restored in Kandhamal and other districts.

2.      Immediately suspend not constables and junior officials, but the Chief Secretary, the Home Secretary and the Director General of Police for gross dereliction of duty, and for joining the conspiracy to wipe out Christians in Orissa.

3.      Hand over the Kandhamal district in particular to the Indian Army, which alone can restore the confidence of the victims.

4.      Trace the many people reported abducted, some feared dead or injured, in the last six days

5.      Bring back the tens of thousands of Christians Tribals and Dalit villagers hiding for their lives in the forests, most of them without food and adequate drinking water

6.      Hand over all investigations relating to the circumstances and course of violence to the Central Bureau of Investigations. The CBI should also investigate the murder of VHP leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati.

7.      Expand the terms of reference of the sitting Judicial Commission headed by Mr. Justice Basudeo Panigrahi to fix responsibility and culpability on government servants of all ranks, as also on guilty politicians.

8.      Grant exemplary compensation to the next of kin of the dead, and to the injured. Grant immediate relief and rehabilitation to the victims so that they can rebuild their homes, get back their jobs and resume
normal human lives.

9.      Compensate the Church to rebuild and restore its religious, educations, and humanitarian institutions.

10.     Set up Fast Track criminal court to try those found guilty at all levels during all phases of the violence.

This alone will prove to the world that India remains a secular country, which gives Constitutional guarantees of the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, the freedom of faith to its citizens, and for its children, the right to food, education and a childhood without the trauma of terror and the fear of death,

Thank you

God bless you, and God bless Orissa

In prayer

The Christian Community of Delhi and the National Capital Region
Together with our brothers and sisters from other states.

Nearly 45,000 Christian schools and colleges closed Friday

New Delhi, Aug 29 (IANS) Nearly 45,000 schools, colleges and other educational institutes run by Christian organisations around the country were closed Friday to protest the continued violence against the community in Orissa.

"All our schools and colleges are closed today (Friday). Let me clarify, survival is more important than education," said Babu Joseph, spokesman of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India (CBCI).

He said they are holding a peaceful protest to voice concern against continued violence against the community in Orissa, where at least 11 people have died in communal violence since Saturday evening.

"There is almost an ethnic cleansing in the state," Joseph told IANS.

Orissa has been on the boil since Saturday when Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a member of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and four others were killed at his Jalespata ashram in Kandhamal district.

His killing triggered violence in the state against the Christian community by some Hindu groups.

Joseph said there are around five million students studying in these 45,000 institutions and this protest will certainly bring spotlight on the issue.

He said their community members have carried out protest marches across the country.

In Delhi scores of Christians marched to Orissa Bhawan, the office of the state resident commissioner, to protest the violence. Several schools and colleges like St. Stephens College, St Columba’s School and Somerville School were closed for the day.

"Our teachers told us Thursday that our school is closed Friday," said Astha Singh, a student of Somerville School in east Delhi.

Similarly institutions run by missionaries in Shimla, Dharamsala and Dalhousie towns in Himachal Pradseh remained closed.

"The college is closed to express solidarity for the violence victims,’ said Shimla’s St. Bede’s principal Sister Melba.

A group of Christian leaders had met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Thursday and appraised him about the situation in Orissa. Joseph said the prime minister had assured them the government would "take all steps to bring peace and normalcy".

In Kerala, around 5,900 educational institutions remained closed. The institutions in Kerala included four medical colleges and 11 engineering colleges run by the Catholic Church.

Other Christian denominations like the Church of South India (CSI) and Marthoma Syrian Church joined the protest against the violence.

"All those attending our institutions will attend work wearing black badges,’ said an official of Marthoma Church at its headquarters in Thiruvalla in Pathanamthitta district.

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Centre favours CBI probe into Orissa clashes

New Delhi, Aug 29 (PTI) Expressing serious concern over the communal violence in Orissa that claimed several lives, the Centre today said it favoured a CBI probe into the incidents.
"We would have liked ideally that this matter be handed over to the CBI because those responsible should get justice immediately as judicial probe takes longer time," Science and Technology Minister Kapil Sibal told reporters when asked whether the Orissa violence came up for discussion at the meeting of the Union Cabinet.
He, however, said it was for the state government to recommend a probe by the Central investigating agency as the Centre could not do it on its own.
Describing the incidents as a matter of grave concern to the Centre, he said "the Prime Minister, in fact, spoke to the Chief Minister and the Governor and assured the state government it would give whatever help needed to bring back normalcy".
Sibal said this kind of "senseless destruction by individuals belonging to a particular organisation shall not be tolerated".
Asserting that the Centre was committed to secularism, he said "there shall be no dilution in that commitment." He hoped that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would take strong measures to bring back normalcy and ensure quick justice to the victims and rehabilitate them.
Sibal said it was "worrisome" that over 2,000 houses have been destroyed in the continuing violence.
Asked repeatedly whether Bajrang Dal would be banned as it activists were caught making bombs, he parried a direct reply saying it was a very serious situation and communal elements were responsible for it.

PTI

Thousands homeless after Hindu-Christian violence in India

NEW DELHI: At least 3,000 people, most of them Christians, are living in government-run relief camps after days of Christian-versus-Hindu violence in eastern India, government officials said.

The government said that many people were also living in the jungle without any shelter and security because of the tensions, which erupted in violence after a Hindu leader was killed Saturday. At least 10 people, most of them Christians, have been killed since.

Christian community leaders say that at least 1,000 Christian homes have been set on fire since Monday, rendering more than 5,000 people homeless.

Many of those living in the jungle were without food or water, said the Rev. Dibakar Parichha, a priest at the Roman Catholic church in Phulbani, a town in Orissa State. Father Parichha said that about 90 places of worship, including small churches and prayer halls, had been burned down. Local officials said the figure was about 20.

The violence has occurred in Kandhamal, a district in Orissa State that has a history of communal and ethnic clashes. The latest conflict started Saturday night, when unidentified armed men stormed a Hindu school in Kandhamal and killed the Hindu leader Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his followers.

The police suspected that Maoist rebels were responsible. But Hindus blamed Christians. In the retaliatory violence, 500 houses were burned. All nine towns in the district are under a curfew, and the police have license to shoot. At least two people have been killed in violent reprisals in other districts of Orissa, including a woman who died when an orphanage was burned down.

"We are supposed to take drastic action against whosoever indulges in violence" said R. P. Koche, the police chief in Kandhamal District. The local police force has been reinforced by 2,500 paramilitary troops, he said. The district magistrate, Dr. Krishna Kumar, said the situation was tense but under control, and that more then 200 people had been arrested.

On Wednesday, during his weekly address at the Vatican, Pope Benedict XVI said, "I firmly condemn any attack on human life," and said that he was "profoundly saddened" by the violence in Orissa. He called the killing of Saraswati "deplorable."

To protest the violence against Christians in Orissa, more than 40,000 Christian educational institutions across India will be closed on Friday in compliance with a call by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India and other Christian denominations.

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Violence continues in Orissa despite curfew

Friday, 29 August , 2008, 12:34
Last Updated: Friday, 29 August , 2008, 12:52

Bhubaneswar: The communal violence that erupted in Orissa after the killing of five people, including a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader, continued for the seventh day on Friday with stray incidents being reported from Kandhamal district despite a curfew, police said.

“There have been stray incidents of violence in parts of Kandhamal” a police official told IANS on phone from district headquarters Phulbani.

The areas where violence broke out included Phiringia, Tikabali and Udayagiri.

"Mobs have blocked roads in several places and police are trying to clear them,” the official said.

"Although 4,000 policemen have been deployed in Kandhamal district, which is the worst hit, Hindu and Christian rioters have clashed in several places. We have arrested at least 137 people in the district since Saturday," he added.

However, officials at the police headquarters here said that things were peaceful in the rest of the state.

Educational institutions run by Christians remained closed across the state on Friday as a part of nationwide protest against the violence in which Christians were targeted, according to its community leaders.

“Policemen have been ordered to shoot rioters at sight and curfew is in force in all major towns of Kandhamal. Security forces have been taking out flag marches in several areas," a government official said.

Police said 11 people have been killed in the violence since Saturday. However, local TV channels and newspapers said at least 17 people have died in the communal violence and the bodies of 13 people had been found.

Asit Kumar Mohanty, regional coordinator of the Global Council of Indian Christians, claimed that 30 Christians had been killed since Saturday.

"As per our estimate, 10,000 Christian families have fled to the forests after their houses were burnt and they were attacked by rioters. Over 4,000 people have been injured and more than 20,000 houses have been burnt," Mohanty told IANS.

However, government sources said the figures given by Mohanty were exaggerated. Kandhamal district officials said about 4,000 Christian families had fled their homes.

"It is an emotional and spontaneous reaction of people to the killing of Swami Laxamanananda Saraswati," Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, an administrative official camping in Kandhamal, said.

The state has been on the boil since the killing of Saraswati, a member of the central advisory committee of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP), and four others on Saturday evening by suspected Maoist guerrillas at his Jalespata ashram in Kandhamal district.

Saraswati was leading a campaign against cow slaughter and religious conversion in the communally sensitive district - which with a population of around 600,000 including 150,000 Christians has witnessed numerous clashes between Hindus and Christians in the past.

Radical Hindu groups in the state alleged that Christians killed Saraswati because he was opposing religious conversion. Christian organisations deny the allegation.

Saraswati's supporters have been holding protests since Saturday night, blocking trains and vehicles.

Orissa is no stranger to communal violence between Hindus and Christians.

"People are very angry and the government needs to immediately arrest the Christian militants who killed Swamiji,” said Subash Chauhan, leader of Hindu extremist group Bajrang Dal.

On January 22, 1999, Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons, 10-year-old Philip and six-year-old Timothy, were burnt alive by a Hindu radical mob in their vehicle in Keonjhar district.

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HRW asks FM of major powers to end Orissa's violence

New York (PTI): Human Rights Watch, Christian Solidarity Network, Dalit Freedom Network and the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty have appealed to foreign ministers in the EU and the US to immediately call for an end to the sectarian violence in India's Orissa.

"International statements of concern are urgently needed to express solidarity with the victims, to help forestall yet more violence and to prevent the further loss of life," said a letter sent to the European Commissioner for External Relations, the Foreign Ministers of French, European Affairs, the British Foreign Secretary, and the US.

"We, therefore request that you make a statement to call for an end to the sectarian violence and for the protection of vulnerable communities as soon as possible," it said.

"Mobs have been attacking minority Christians in retaliation for the killing of local religious leader Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati," says the letter, adding as of August 27, at least nine people have been killed, a nun gang-raped, and churches and houses have been destroyed in at least 12 districts.

Condemning the murder of Swami, allegedly by Naxalite (Maoist) insurgents, the letter said: "the fact that Christians have been made the scapegoats and victims of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad backlash is deplorable and calls for urgent intervention."

The outbreak of violence, it said, follows widespread attacks on Christian targets beginning in December 2007. Swami Saraswati, it said, was "widely implicated" in the incitement of those attacks and in "stirring anti-Christian hatred in Orissa state, but he was never prosecuted by the State authorities.

Source: Hindu Newspaper

Hindu Sadhus demand a ban on Bajrang Dal

Ayodhya, August 24 Nearly 500 sadhus of Ayodhya demanded a ban on Bajrang Dal in view of the recent Kanpur blast. On Thursday, the priests held a meeting and asked the government to arrest the top leaders of the outfit to prevent any untoward incident.

The meeting was organised by Ayodhya ki Awaz, an organisation of sadhus and mahants, at Saryu Kunj temple, adjacent to the disputed site of Ram Janma Bhumi.

Demanding an inquiry into the activities of Bajrang Dal, the sadhus decided to create a public opinion against the religious outfit and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad. Mahant Bhawnath Das, a senior sadhu of Hanumangarhi temple, said, “The explosions at Nanded, Thane and Kanpur have revealed the dangerous plans of Bajrang Dal.” Convener of Ayodhya Ki Awaz, Mahant Jugal Kishore Sharan Shastri said: “We have urged Chief Minister Mayawati not to ignore such elements. She must take steps to crush such miscreants.”

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Letter to Sonia Gandhi

Dr. John Dayal
Member: National Integration Council, Government of India

On behalf of
All India Catholic Union and Federation of Catholic Associations of
Delhi
All India Christian Council
Truth-Seakers International
Christabhaktamandali, Maharashtra
United Christian Action, Delhi

505 Link, 18 IP Extension, Delhi 110092 India
 Email: johndayal@vsnl.com
Phone: 91-11-22722262 Mobile 09811021072

28 August 2008
Honourable Mrs Sonia Gandhi
Congress President and Chairperson, UPA
10 Janpath, New Delhi

Respected Madam

Greetings

Re: Call to end Ethnic cleansing of Christians in Orissa

I am writing this to bring to your notice the utter failure of the
Government of Orissa to bring a halt to the killing of Christians, the
destruction of their properties and the persecution of their Church in
the state in general, and in the district of Kandhamal in particular.

Although the Orissa government is a coalition of the Biju Janata Dal
and the Bharatiya Janata Party, it is the BJP which is running the
show and has complete control of the government, the police and the
relief and rehabilitation ministries.  The government has also given
full freedom to the RSS, the VHP to carry on their aggression on the
Christian community.

I would like to point out that the Christian community has
unequivocally denounced the murder of VHP vice president
Lakshmanananda Saraswati who was killed in Kandhamal some days ago,
reportedly by Maoist groups. The state government failed thrice. They
failed in December 2007 to protect Christians from VHP and RSS
violence in which more then 100 churches were destroyed and thousands
rendered homeless. They failed again this time when about 30
Christians have been killed, a nun gang raped, another woman burnt
alive, many priests grievously injured and hundreds of houses burnt. I
am attaching herewith the list of persons killed, injured and
destruction of Churches in the last four days.

There is urgent need to restore peace, to stop the targeting and
persecution of Christians which is tantamount to the Ethnic Cleansing
of Christians from Orissa. BHP and its leaders like Praveen Togadia
have openly said is their avowed target

We request that:

1. The Union Government must authorise the Army to move its troops
into affected blocks of Kandhamal district where the local police and
RAF have failed miserably.

2. The Centre must order a CBI enquiry into the murder of the VHP
leader, and he ensuing violence to trace the guilty in both cases.

3. Urgent compensation to the kin of the dead and the injured, relief
and rehabilitation must be taken so that the tens of thousands of
Christians now hiding in the forest of and other districts can return
home. Government must rebuild their house and also rebuild every
single church that has been destroyed.

Dear Madam, it is the fair name of India that is being tarnished in
this anti Christian violence. The Union Government has to act, and it
has to make the State Government to wake up to its Constitutional
responsibilities.

I am sure you will advice the Union government and request the Prime
Minister to do whatever is necessary in this regard.

Thanking you

Yours faithfully


Dr John Dayal

Christian organizations call for national shut-down of educational institutions on Friday

For more information, contact:

Dr. Sam Paul, aicc Secretary Public Affairs

sam@christiancouncil.in

+91-9989697778

For immediate release

Massive violence against Christians continues unabated in Orissa

Christian organizations call for national shut-down of educational institutions on Friday

HYDERABAD – August 27, 2008

Violent attacks against Christians in the eastern state of Orissa continued 5^th day. The Christian leaders across denominations are calling for Christian educational institutions to peacefully protest by closing schools on Friday. In positive news, a key appeal was won in the Orissa High Court this afternoon to protect victims and restore order.

“Some people have called the violence ‘Hindu-Christian clashes’. But this is not accurate. Innocent Christians – mostly of Dalit origin – continue to be attacked by communal organizations which are mocking the rule of law. Governance in Orissa state appears to have disintegrated,” said Dr. Joseph D’souza, President of the All India Christian Council (aicc).

“We call for all church and Christian educational institutions of Catholic, Protestant, Independent, and unaffiliated Christian denominations in the service of society to close for one day,” said Sam Paul, aicc National Secretary of Public Affairs. The aicc is supporting the call from church networks -- including the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, the Evangelical Fellowship of India, and the National Council of Churches in India -- to close Christian schools on Friday, Aug. 29, 2008. A letter sent by these groups said in part:

“Communal organizations have taken the law into their hands in 12 districts of Orissa and are going about targeting not only institutions but also persons. What is at stake is not only the freedom of conscience of a minority community but India’s secular democracy, its commitment to human rights and constitutional guarantees. The destructive and divisive communal forces have to be stopped. We want this message to go across to our fellow countrymen and that is why we are closing our educational institutions on Friday, 29th August 2008 in deep sorrow and anguish. We hope parents become aware of the implications of the incidents in Orissa. We also request all our people to pray for the victims of violence in Orissa and other places and their near and dear ones. We also pray for the misguided perpetrators of violence that they may mend their ways and become responsible citizens.”

A non-sectarian group of lawyers won an important appeal in the Orissa High Court this morning. Lawyers from the Human Rights Law Network filed “Sangram Mallick vs. Union of India”, Writ Petition Civil, No. 12318 of 2008. The petitioner and his organization, Ambedkar Lohia Vichar Manch, sought rehabilitation of all victims, provision of relief, and increased protection -- including deployment of more security forces such as Central Reserve Police Forces. A division bench of the High Court in Cuttack, Orissa, including Chief Justice B.S. Chauhan and Justice B.N. Mahapatra, specifically directed the state’s District Collectors to help victims return safely from hiding in the forests to their homes.

In the aftermath of the murder of a Hindu swami by unknown assailants on Aug. 23, 2008, mobs attacked the Christian community across the eastern state of Orissa. On Monday, a 12 hour strike called by hardliner Hindu nationalist organizations resulted in spreading violence. Media reports and eye witness accounts indicate about a dozen Christians were killed and thousands of Christian properties burnt. See dedicated webpage at: http://indianchristians.in/news/content/view/2332/45/

From Dec. 24, 2007-Jan. 2, 2008, attacks in Kandhamal district killed at least four Christians and destroyed over 100 churches and 730 Christian homes. Several dozen women were sexually harassed and assaulted, and more than 40 shops belonging to Christians were looted and destroyed. Most of the victims were Dalits, formerly known as untouchables.

The All India Christian Council (www.aiccindia.org), birthed in 1998, exists to protect and serve the Christian community, minorities, and the oppressed castes. The aicc is a coalition of thousands of Indian denominations, organizations, and lay leaders.

Released by

Madhu Chandra

Regional Secretary, New Delhi

9868184939

Orissa: Where has governance gone?

Wednesday, August 27, 2008
The murder last Saturday of senior Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Laxmananand Saraswati and four of his disciples in Orissa's Kandhamal district is a matter of concern, just as any such horrible crime perpetrated against any group of people would be. But the Naveen Patnaik government appears to have come up with nothing so far. Instead, it watched helplessly as the Hindutva affiliates, including the BJP, a partner in the coalition government in the state, the RSS, VHP and others, went on a rampage on Monday in seeking to enforce a protest bandh call given by them. They held the entire state to ransom and specifically targeted the Christian community, although fingers in the Saraswati murder case have been pointed at the Naxalites who appear to have a free run in the state.

Five people, including a paralysed man and a 20-year-old girl, an orphanage assistant who could have been a nun, were burnt to death. The others died of asphyxia when their village huts were torched. Churches were set on fire. As saffron activists sought to impose their statewide shutdown, thousands of vehicles were damaged and hundreds set ablaze. All life was brought to a standstill, and the state virtually brought to its knees. It appeared that the Hindutva fanatics had obtained the licence to create mayhem.

No duly constituted authority can countenance such wanton disregard of the law, but the Naveen Patnaik government is guilty of just that. It is indeed strange that the state government is silent on
the Saraswati murder as well as on the gory events during the bandh sponsored by the saffron combine. This gives the impression that the authorities are conniving with the fanatics under political compulsion, for if Saraswati's murderers were to be nailed, it would take away the self-serving justification of the Hindutva brigade that Orissa Christians were instrumental. It is, of course, perverse to seek to punish a religious community even if one of them is actually found guilty. Such logic is not acceptable in a democratic order. If the BJD-BJP coalition is serious about governance, it should make a transparent effort to book those suspected of indulging in Monday's orgy of violence and the murder of the VHP swami and his associates two days earlier. Orissa is acquiring the dubious reputation of being a state in which the Christian community is routinely set upon by Hindutva activists. Churches had been burnt in the state last December also. In January 1999, the world was shocked when Bajrang Dal activists led by one Dara Singh (who was convicted in 2003) burnt to death Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons as they slept. Is Orissa going the Gujarat way: becoming a Hindutva laboratory?

Source

Orissa: Vatican expresses solidarity to victims

Indian bishop calls events shameful for the state
by Nirmala Carvalho

The Holy See has called on everyone to rebuild an atmosphere of dialogue and reconciliation. Cardinal Gracias, who chairs the conference of Indian bishops, accuses the government of being too slow in acting and the police of being ineffective. He expresses sorrow for the death of Hindu fundamentalist leader Swami Laxamananda. Violence against nuns and missionaries, who give their life for the social development of the population, is "diabolic". Mother Teresa's successor Sister Nirmala Joshi says that one cannot be disciple of Christ without paying the price, on the Cross.

Mumbai (AsiaNews) – The Vatican has expressed "solidarity to the Churches and religious congregations" of India, victimised by violence. It has called on everyone to rebuild an "atmosphere of dialogue and mutual respect." The Indian Church and the Sisters of Mother Teresa have welcomed the appeal for reconciliation, but in Orissa the acts of destruction, including the burning of homes, churches and Christian institutions, keep rising.
The Press Office of the Holy See issued a statement today reproving "these actions which are prejudicial to people's dignity and freedom and compromise peaceful coexistence."

From Mumbai, the chairman of the Bishops' Conference of India Card Oswald Gracias said he was following "with sorrow and sadness" the unfolding events in Orissa.

For him the government bears a heavy responsibility. "How could they [the government] not foresee ahead of time such a situation and take the necessary preventive measures to avert this large scale mayhem?" said the prelate.

The prelate noted that last December similar incidents took place in the same area with villages under siege, churches set on fire and people killed.

For the chairman of Indian bishops such episodes are a "shameful for India within the international community; it is a blot on India's image. The international community might end up seeing us as a nation where the government is slow to act and police is ineffective."

Cardinal Gracias said he was saddened by the death of Swami Laxamananda, whose murder sparked violence by Hindu fundamentalists who blamed Christians for it.

"The Indian Church immediately condemned the murder of the Guruji. The Church has never been a party to any violence. The vendetta against Christians is pure madness."

The prelate described the rape of a nun and the death of a lay woman missionary burnt to death as "barbaric and perverse".

"Our Women religious have given their lives to empower the same people who are now assaulting them," he said. "Our nuns have given dignity to these people through the social ministry of the Church and today they are brutalised by this senseless mob. This is diabolical."

Sister Nirmala Joshi, who succeeded Mother Teresa at the helm of the Missionaries of Charity, said that "it was painful to see that the people we serve, for whom we are doing good work, can do such things . . . . We must never the less forgive and go on with the eyes focused on our mission."

Meanwhile a hospital for the elderly run by the Missionaries of Charity was destroyed (for a second time). Some Sisters of Mother Teresa have been attacked with stones. Sister Nirmala has remained in constant contact with them.

"Pope Benedict XVI said that the Blessed Mother Teresa was a real disciple of Christ. [. . .] But without the Cross there is no Jesus. Can we be disciples of Christ without paying the price like him, on the Cross?"

Asia News

Vishwa Hindu Parishad Orissa Bandh-related violence claims 9

Malini Dey  

26/8/2008 7:39:12 PM(IST)

The death toll from Monday''s violence in Orissa during a bandh called by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad has gone up to 9.

"There are reports that four to five people have been killed in fresh violence. The deaths are from yesterday's violence. There is no fresh violence. We have also clamped a curfew in Kandhamal district to avoid any violence," a senior Orissa government official clarified.

Officials are in the process of identifying five of the dead, sources said.

The government's statement that the Maoists were behind the murders has also been contested.

"Saying Naxals are behind the attack is totally misleading and orchestrated. This is an attack by the agents of Christian missionaries, whose attempts at forcible conversions the Swamiji countered," said a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh spokesperson.

He also blamed the state government for failing to protect Swami Lakshmanananda even after he lodged a lodged a formal complaint.

Lakhsmanananda came to Chakapada village in 1966, after which he set up schools and hostels for tribal children in the region.

"They tried and failed for seven times. The eighth time they have succeeded. A week before he was killed, he had received an anonymous threat that said he would soon be killed. Though he lodged a formal complaint, the officials did not do anything about it," a local functionary said.

Local observers also blamed the government for not giving the Swamiji enough protection and also not doing enough to douse the communal tension after December when an attack on Lakshmanananda sparked violence in Kandhamal district.

"The administration failed to ensure that the churches and Christian institutions were attacked in return. So, this might be an act of revenge for that, given the fact that Lakshmanananda was actively combating forcible conversions in the region," said an observer.

Soon after the attack, the state government and the police laid the blame on Maoists. "They were very quick to do it probably because they wanted to ensure that communal violence does not break out. But eventually they weren't able to do that also," he said.

Maoist-watchers are also not convinced that there could be a Naxal angle to the killings.

"There is nothing that suggests that Maosits may be involved. Though it is soon to say for sure they are not involved, there have not been many incidents where they have attacked civilians. Even in such a case, they would have killed the two home guards who were said to have been on duty at the time of attack," said a Delhi-based security analyst.

"However, whoever executed it had planned it to perfection. It is clear that they have been watching the Swami closely. The assailant also chose dinner time, when two of the guards were not present, on Janmashtmi day, when everyone had their guards down," he said.

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Four more killed in Orissa communal violence

KalingaTimes Correspondent
Bhubaneswar, Aug 26: At least four persons were killed when members of two communities clashed in Barkhama village under Baliguda Block of Kandhamal district of Odisha on Tuesday afternoon.

According to reliable sources, the clash took places when members of the majority community set some houses and shops of the minority community on fire.

Both the sides used bombs and firearms during the clash, according to sources. The incident took place around 4 pm.

The situation was brought under control by a police party that reached the spot and fired in the air, sources said.

While police recovered two bodies from the spot, two bodies were reportedly taken away by the people involved in the clash.

However, it was not clear whether the four persons killed in the incident were Hindus or Christians.

In the violence that had been triggered by the killing of VHP leader Swami Lakshmanananda on Saturday night, one person was burnt to death in Rupa village in Kandhamal district on Sunday night.

On Monday, a woman inmate of an orphanage was burnt alive in Bargarh district during the VHP-sponsored bandh.

Further, three more persons were killed when their house set on fire in a village in Raikia area of Kandhamal district late on Monday night.

Click here for source

Seven more killed in Orissa, toll nine

Bhubaneswar (PTI): Seven people were killed, four of them in police firing, in unabated violence in Orissa's Kandhamal district, taking the toll to nine, in the backlash to the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati as curfew was clamped in all major towns of the district.

Four persons persons were killed when the police opened fire to disperse a mob which attacked places of worship, prayer halls and shops at Barakhama in Kandhamal district, Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda said.

Three persons were killed when their houses were torched in Raikia area around midnight on Monday night, official sources said.

Two others, including a woman, were killed when a missionary-run orphanage was set on fire on Monday.

Almost the entire Kandhamal district was placed under indefinite curfew following continued violence. All major towns are under curfew and Rapid Action Force (RAF), CRPF and state police were deployed, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (Southern Division) Satyabrata Sahu told PTI over phone.

Click here for source

FIACONA Press Release

Federation of Indian American Christian Organizations in North America

Press Release

Nun gang raped, one burnt alive, orphanage and churches set on fire again in Orissa

Federation of Indian Christian Organizations in North America is deeply anguished and tormented by the mindless and macabre events taking place against Christians in Orissa. Every religion of the world condemns and prohibits violence of any kind. According to ibnlive.com with inputs from PTI and IANS, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a member of VHP's central advisory committee, and four other people were killed at his Jalespata ashram in Kandhamal district, 340 km from Bhubaneswar, on Saturday evening after more than 30 suspected Maoist rebels opened fire on them. The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) called a statewide bandh (shutdown) to protest against the murder of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati. However, activists accompanying body of the slain leader defied curfew and held processions passing through Phulbani town, attacking churches, houses and vehicles of one community, police said. Without any reason, the activists targeted only Christians. Over a dozen churches and prayer halls were torched, police outposts attacked and about 15 vehicles damaged in the communally sensitive Kandhamal district during the bandh. Two churches were damaged in Phulbani town and two police outposts were ransacked near Nuagaon, while churches and prayer halls were attacked in Baliguda, Barkhama, Tikabali and Udaigiri areas.

The most horrifying, horrendous, sickening, and gruesome event against peace-loving Christians was the burning of a 25-year old woman to death and injuring a priest, when activists set fire to an orphanage run by Christian missionaries in a village in Orissa’s Bargarh district on Monday. First reports from Khuntapali village say the suspected Sangh Parivar activists first pulled out children from the orphanage and then set it ablaze at around 4:00pm. The woman, who was a teacher at the orphanage, and the priest were trapped inside. The woman was burnt alive in the blaze however; the priest survived and is now recovering in a hospital. Can this barbaric incident justify civilization from any angle? Is this how Ahimsa (non-violence) is practiced in the land which won its freedom with non-violent means? There are several incidents it the past also, when Hindu extremists in Orissa attacked Christian missionaries. For example, in 1999 an Australian missionary, Graham Staines, and his two sons were killed by a mob that set their car on fire. There has been an outbreak of violence against Christians since December 2007 when thousands of Christians were beaten, traumatized, houses and churches burnt, and were driven away from their homes. The office of Special Relief Commissioner of Orissa said about 4051 people were affected in the communal violence that began in the last week of December 2007. Hundreds still live in jungles to this day out fear for their lives.

FIACONA condemns the murder, rape and brutal treatment of the Christians in strongest possible terms. The attitude of the current government in Orissa and at the Centre towards such acts against the Christian minority is unacceptable. Indian Government should immediately intervene as there is total failure of law and order on the part of Orissa Government. Heinous crimes of this magnitude cannot be ignored. All these macabre incidents highlight the trauma, the pain, and the helplessness of the Christian community. FIACONA demands immediate dismissal of the state government and imposition of President’s rule to ensure the security and safety of the minority community. “The culprits of such crimes,” Rev. Bernard Malik, the President of FIACONA said “should be arrested and prosecuted immediately”

For the favor of publication

Rev. Bernard Malik 302-354-5452

www.fiacona.org

110 Maryland Ave, NE, Suite# 306 Washington, DC-20002 USA

Fresh violence erupts in Orissa, three killed

Agencies

Posted online: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 at 1141 hrs IST

Bhubaneswar, August 26:
An indefinite curfew was clamped in Orissa's communally-sensitive Kandhamal district on Tuesday following fresh violence in the wake of the killing of VHP leader in which three persons were killed.

"We have information about death of three persons in Raikia area. The details are being collected," Revenue Divisional Commissioner of Southern Division Satyabrata Sahu said.

"The situation in Kandhamal district is very tense but under control," he added.

The three persons died of asphyxiation after their houses were torched midnight on Monday, police sources said.

With the fresh deaths reported from Raikia, the toll in violence triggered by the gunning down of Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others on Saturday night rose to five, official sources said, adding two persons, one each in Kandhamal and Bargarh were burnt to death on Monday during the 12-hour state-wide bandh.

Indefinite curfew was imposed in almost all parts of the tribal-dominated Kandhamal district including Phulbani, Tumudibandh, Baliguda, Udaygiri, Nuagaon and Tikabali as a precautionary measure and to bring the situation under control, he said.

Rapid Action Force (RAF) personnel were deployed in several sensitive areas of the district while schools, colleges and educational institutions remained closed, he said.

A large number of houses and churches were torched by irate mob in several areas including Nuagaon, Raikia, Udaygiri, Phiringia and Baliguda, police said.

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Revised update from Dr. John Dayal

Dr. John Dayal

Member: National Integration Council
Government of India

Secretary General: All India Christian Council (Founded 1999)
President: United Christian Action, Delhi (Founded 1992)
Imm. Past National President:  All India Catholic Union (Founded 1919)


505 Link, 18 IP Extension, Delhi 110092 India
 Email: johndayal@vsnl.com
http://groups.google.com/group/JohnDayal
Phone: 91-11-22722262 Mobile 09811021072

25 August 2008

URGENT FAX

TO PRESIDENT OF INDIA

SEEKING ARMY / CENTRAL FORCES  INTERVENTION TO PROTECT CHRISTIANS IN
ORISSA AS NUN IS RAPED, PRIESTS INJURED, CHURCHES AND OFFICES BURNT IN
PRESENCE OF POLICE

Hon'ble Mrs., Pratibha Patil
President of India

 Dear President

Greetings from a grieving community.

You are aware of the still continuing carnage against the Christian
community, mostly Dalits and Tribals, in the Kandhamal district of
Orissa and in several other districts including the state capital of
Bhubaneswar since 23rd August 2003 following the killing of Vishwa
Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, reportedly by
Maoist groups who have been operating in the state for some time.

The Christian leadership in the country has unequivocally condemned
the killing of the VHP leader and his four associates.

The Christians of Kandhamal are still nursing their wounds from the
Christmas 2007 violence, with hundreds of them still living in a
refugee camp in Barakhama. Most of the more than One hundred churches
then destroyed remain in ruins, and the burnt houses are still to be
fully rebuilt.

And yet local Sangh leaders have targeted the community in a second
wave of macabre violence.

A nun has been raped in Kandhamal, a Catholic father grievously
injured, scores of houses in villages destroyed, apart from Churches
and institutions. I attach herewith a partial list of the damage in
the violence in the past two days. We in Delhi are overwhelmed with
panic messages from Priests, pastors, nuns and common people who look
to New Delhi for help as the State machinery ahs collapsed once again.

Changing of superintendents of police as a knee jerk reaction does not
provide security to Christians. In fact, much of the violence is
taking place with the insufficient police force looking on. This had
been the case in 2007 December, as has come out in the on going
hearings of the Justice Basudeo Panigrahi Commission.  Christian
delegations have informed the State Governor, the State Chief Minister
and the Home Minister of India of the dire situation of our community
in Orissa.

Dear Madame President,

This is to request you to use your powers as President of India, and
the tremendous force of your good offices, to impress on the Central
Government to rush adequate Union forces, including contingents of the
Armed Forces if required, to restore law and order and governance in
the Kandhamal region.

The consequences of any further delay, I fear, may be catastrophic for
our Christian community in the State  in particular, for peace in
Orissa in general, and for the fair name of India as a secular
country.

God Bless you

John Dayal

Attachments:
1.	Incomplete list of death and damage in violence of 23rd-25th August 2008
2.	Christian condemnation of killing of Sw. Lakshmanananda Saraswati


ORISSA ANTI CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE UPDATE 25th August 2008

:

1.	CHRISTIAN ORPHANAGE WORKER BURNT ALIVE: A Woman worker of a
Christian orphanage was burnt alive on 25th August 2008  by a group of
Vishwa Hindu Parishad mob which  stormed the orphanage she ran in the
district of Bargarh (Orissa). The 45-year-old woman, employed as a
cook was burnt to death on Monday when the school was set on fire by
the mob. The pastor running the school was also injured. Police
Superintendent Ashok Biswall has told news reporters.
2.	NUN RAPED: A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese
working  Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in
Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of
Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed.
3.	SENIOR PRIEST AND NUN INJURED: Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan
Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the
Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre
was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a  disheveled
state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was
then set afire.
4.	BALLIGUDA CHURCH BUILDINGS DESTROYED AGAIN: On 24th August 2008
evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very
heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24th
and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent
and hostel damaging the properties.
5.	The mobs in Balliguda caught hold of two boys of the Catholic
hostel and tonsured their heads.
6.	PHULBANI CHURCH DAMAGED: On 25th august 2008 morning followers of
the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in
Phulbani, the district headquarter town.
7.	MOTHER TERESA BROTHERS ASHRAM ATTACKED: mobs  attacked the Mother
Teresa Brothers' residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once
before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients.
Fundamentalists have targeted Priests, religious and also the Faithful
in Pobingia also.
8.	BHUBANESWAR BISHOP'S HOUSE ATTACKED: On the morning of 25th August
2008, violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of
Catholic Church and Archbishop's house in the heart of the Capital of
the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police
presence. They threw  stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop's House,
damaging windows.
9.	DUBURI PARISH; Another group of fundamentalists entered presbytery
in Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged
property. Two priests of the parish are missing.
10.	Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and
his property, vehicle etc. damaged, burnt and looted.
11.	A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged.
12.	Christian institutions like St. Arnold's School (Kalinga Bihar),
AND NISWASS report some damage.
13.	BOUDH DISTRICT [Adjoining Kandhamal]: Fundamentalists enter the
Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to
safer places. But nothing seems safe.
14.	Muniguda Catholic Fathers and  Nuns' residence have been damaged.
15.	Sambalpur HM Sister's residence (Ainthapalli) has suffered damage.
16.	Padanpur: One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital.
Hostel boys and the in charge have moved away from the place.
17.	Madhupur Catholic Church currently under attack.
18.	SMALL CHURCHES: Attempted violence on small churches in various
districts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera,
Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tummiibandh, Tangrapada,
Phulbani, Balliguda, Kalingia, Chakapad, Srasanranda.
19.	VILLAGE CHRISTIAN HOUSES ATTACKED: Houses attacked on forest
hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia
(G.Udayagiri), Padangiri, Tikabali.
20.	KALAHANDI DISTRICT: houses burnt even though the district is more
than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was
killed.
21.	Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his
house burnt in Bhawanipatna.
22.	Kharihar: 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das
and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up.
23.	Aampani: Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor
Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their
families.
24.	Naktikani: Mob surrounds village to attack Christians. The
government has sent forces, it is reported.


[This list is compiled with assistance from Archbishop's House,
Bhubaneswar and other sources]

              ---------------------------------
URGENT
From John Dayal
25 August 2008

INDIAN CHURCH CONDEMNS KILLING OF ORISSA VHP LEADER

The Church in India has unequivocally condemned the killing of Vishwa
Hindu Parishad [VHP] Orissa leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati and his
four colleagues in the Tumiliband region of Kandhamal district by Left
wing extremists. Still recovering from the worst ever anti Christian
violence in Indian history in December 2007, Christian organisations
have appealed for peace as the community braces for another round of
violence in the state from Hindutva groups who have sworn to avenge
Saraswati death by attacking Churches, institutions, clergy and nuns.

The following is the text of major statements issued by Church groups
condemning the VHP leaders' death:

ARCHBISHOP RAPHAEL CHEENATH, SVD
Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar

24 August 2008

I, on behalf of the Christians of Orissa, particularly the catholic
Christians, strongly condemn the dastardly attack and violent killing
of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati and five of his associates. We the
Christians abhor violence and condemn all acts of violence and
terrorism and are against all groups of people taking the law into
their own hands. We condole the death of Swami Lakshmanananda
Saraswati, a religious leader and his associates. At this critical
juncture I appeal to all for peace and communal harmony. We want good
relationship with all the communities with whom we live.

We are also concerned at the immediate outbreak of communal violence
against innocent Christians in nearby districts. Early reports suggest
that least one prayer hall in Sundergarh District has been burnt and
vehicle belonging to Daughters of the most Precious Blood has been
burnt near G. Udayagiri.

We urgently appeal to the Chief Minister and the Governor of Orissa
and at the Indian Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil to take whatever
steps are require to maintain peace and harmony in all areas of
states, to prevent further attacks on Christians and to bring to book
those responsible for the death of Lakshmanananda Saraswati and his
associates.

    ---------

ALL INDIA CHRISTIAN COUNCIL:

Press Statement by Dr John Dayal, Secretary General, and Dr Sampaul,
National Secretary for Public Affairs

The All India Christian Council is deeply concerned at the attack on
an ashram near Tumiliband in Kandhamal District of Orissa last night
in which the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati and
four of his associates were killed. This is the latest of a series of
attacks in recent months by political extremists which have left
dozens of policemen and others dead in several districts of Orissa.

We are also concerned at the immediate outbreak of communal violence
against innocent Christians in nearby districts. Early reports suggest
at least one prayer hall in Sundergarh ahs been burnt, the van of some
Catholic Nuns destroyed and the sisters themselves injured.

We urgently appeal to the Chief Minister and the Governor of Orissa
and at the Indian Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil to take whatever
steps are require to maintain peace and harmony in all areas of
states, to prevent further attacks on Christians and to bring to book
those responsible for the death of Lakshmanananda Saraswati and his
associates.

The Christian community abhors violence, condemns all acts of
terrorism and is against groups of people taking the law into their
own hands. We have had major differences with the dead VHP leader. It
has been the hate campaigns of the VHP and Sangh Parivar which led to
untold misery to Christians in the violence last Christmas. Refugees
from that violence are still living in government camps in Barakhama
under miserable conditions.  But we wish peace to everyone.
We pray for peace in Orissa, one of the most undeveloped states in the country,
                ------------------

CATHOLIC BISHOPS CONFERENCE OF INDIA:

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI) is sad to note that
Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati and five
others were murdered on Saturday August 23 allegedly by Maoist group
in Kandhamal Dist of Orissa. The Church leaders in Orissa and other
parts of the country have condemned the killing of Swami
Lakshmanananda Saraswati and his associates in the Ashram. We have
also appealed for peace and harmony in the state.

However, we are extremely sorry to find that some organizations have
pointed finger at the Christian community in Orissa for the alleged
murder of the Swami and his associates. Consequently there have been
unprovoked attacks on Christians and their institutions in Kandhamal
and surrounding areas. School at Bhadrak Town, Convent and the
computer centre at Baliguda in Kandhamal Dist, Pastoral Centre at
Baliguda in Kandhamal Dist., Social Development Centre (Jan Vikas
Kendra) at Baliguda in Kandhamal Dist., Catholic Church in Phulbani
and a Convent of the religious women at Phulbani have suffered in the
attacks which took place after the murder of Swami Lakshmanananda
Saraswati.

We are sad to note that the extremists are attacking and vandalizing
our institutions without any reason. Incidents of arson and burning of
vehicles belonging to the Church have also been reported at Udaygiri.
Some of our religious nuns, girls and boys in the hostels have fled
from their places and taken shelter in the forest, particularly in
Kandhamal Dist. We are seriously concerned about the safety and
security of our frightened people who are innocent and yet find
themselves in a very precarious situation. The State Government has
deployed police forces in some of the areas and yet the violence has
not been contained. We request the Central Government to urgently
intervene in the matter and send additional forces to bring situation
to normalcy.
-- Rev. Dr. Babu Joseph, SVD, Spokesperson, CBCI
          ------------
EVANGELICAL FELLOWSHIP OF INDIA:

Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) denounces the killing of Vishwa
Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati and his
four associates by suspected Maoists in Orissa state's Kandhamal
district on August 23. While deeply saddened by the weeklong spate of
attacks that hit Kandhamal district during last Christmas, EFI, as a
representative of the evangelical church in India, stands against
every act of violence and terrorism.

EFI also regrets that vested interests among the various Hindu
nationalist groups are trying to blame local Christians for the act,
as reflected in the acts of vandalism and arson reported from
Kandhamal after the attack on Saraswati ashram.

EFI appeals to the central, state and district authorities to take all
possible measures to maintain peace and calm in Kandhamal. EFI also
calls for the Christian community in India and abroad to pray for
protection of the Christians in Kandhamal and other parts of Orissa.
-- Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, General Secretary
Evangelical Fellowship of India
               --------------------
Prashant. A Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace, Ahmedabad,
Gujarat, India

We condemn the killing of Swami Saraswati and four of his associates
during the attack on the VHP Ashram in the Kandhamal District of
Orissa on Saturday 23rd August 2008. We sympathize with the bereaved
members of the families who have lost their loved ones.

We call upon the Orissa and the Central Governments to do all in their
power to bring to book immediately, those responsible for this
dastardly act; that anti-social elements do not take law and order
into their own hands and above all, to ensure that peace and calm
prevail in the area, and in other parts of Orissa.

Violence, for whatever the provocation, is non-acceptable, and will
definitely not help achieve the goals for which these acts are
committed. We therefore call upon all those responsible for these acts
and to eschew violence immediately. No violence can be justified, for
whatever the reason. However, for the last several months, the
Government of Orissa has allowed some fascist and fundamentalist
forces to terrorize the poor, the marginalized and the minorities of
the State. These forces have carried on their virulent propaganda and
their violent acts with apparent immunity.

There has been a total abdication of responsibility by the Government
of Orissa and the concerned authorities, like the police. They should
now also be held totally responsible for these deaths and for allowing
the situation to go out of control. Sufficient warning has been given
to the Orissa Government, of the deteriorating situation, as early as
in September 2006, with the publication of "Communalism in Orissa" -
the Report of the Indian People's Tribunal on Environment and Human
Rights - headed by Justice K. K. Usha (Retd.) former Chief Justice of
the Kerala High Court.  It may still not be too late to ensure that
the Constitutional Rights and Freedoms of the people of Orissa are not
merely guaranteed by also protected by the State.

Fr. Cedric Prakash sj, Director

Andhra Pradesh CM orders probe into priest's murder

Hyderabad: Dr YS Rajasekhara Reddy, the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh, has accepted the demand for ordering a comprehensive investigation into the killing of 10 Pastors and also numerous attacks on the Christians by communal groups in the State.
The Chief Minister also ordered a meeting to decide on the measures to be taken to make a thorough enquiry into the murder of Fr Thomas Pandipally on 16 August 2008. The assurances followed a meeting that Archbishop M Joji had held with the Chief Minister on 22 August 2008. The Archbishop had led a 12 member delegation of Catholic leaders. The funeral of Fr Thomas took place at Bellamppalli on 20 August 2008. The funeral service was presided over by Archbishop Abraham Viruthagulangara of Nagpur. Mrs Saramma, the mother of Fr Thomas, came from the United States with his brothers and sisters to take part in the burial.  
On 19 August 2008 Archbishop Joji had sent a detailed report of the murder to Rev Pedro Lopez Quintana, the Apostolic Nuncio to India, who took up the matter with the Ministry of Home Affairs. All the Members of the Hierarchy in India (CBCI) were also sent a copy of the same urging them to devise a plan at the national level to put an end to the atrocities of the extremists.
The Archdiocese of Hyderabad and the Andhra Pradesh Federation of Churches (APFC) sent memoranda to the Prime Minister, the UPA Chairperson and the Home Minister in New Delhi and to the Ministers for Minorities Welfare and the Home Affairs in Andhra Pradesh. The National Commission for Minorities, the AP State Minorities Commission and the AP State Human Rights Commission are being requested to ensure a thorough investigation into the present case and all the killings of Pastors and attacks on Christians in the State.

Source: AICC

CNN IBN Coverage of Orissa

AFTERMATH OF SWAMI'S KILLING : THE CHRISTIAN VICTIMS LIST

EFI NEWS

1) NUN BURNT ALIVE: A nun was burnt to death on 25th, Monday, after an orphanage was torched in at Phutpali in Bargarh district in Orissa during a bandh called by Hindu nationalist parties.Twenty children, who were at the orphanage, managed to escape but a priest suffered serious burn injuries in the attack.
2) RASANANDA PRADHAN TORCHED ALIVE: Another person, Rasananda Pradhan, was burnt to death when his house was set ablaze at Rupa village in Kandhamal district.
3) INFLAMMATORY SPEECHES TARGET CHRISTIANS: During the bandh inflammatory speeches spreading hatred against the Christian workers and the community were given by the VHP leaders. To gain the mass support,the activists have also carried the body of Swamiji throughout the town.
4) CHURCHES BURNT ALL ACROSS ORISSA STATE: Churches were attacked in Khurda, Bargarh, Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Koraput, Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Kandhamal districts as also in the state capital, police sources said, adding 40 houses were set ablaze in Phulbani town.
5) BUSES AND VEHICLES TORCHED: Mr. Mishra Digal was beaten up, while the motorcycles of Mr. R. K. Digal and Jitendra were burnt. Several buses at Gee Udaigiri in Baliguda were burnt.
6) PULBANI CHURCH RANSACKED: The Church at Phulbani,and several other churches at Phiringia were attacked and ransacked. Pastor D. Tatson's house was vandalized and his property burnt.
7) KAKRIGUMA CHURCHES VANDALISED: Churches in Kakriguma have been targeted by the mob that reportedly damaged the Assembly Of God Church and the Philadelphia Church.
8) WORLD VISION STAFF FLED FOR SAFETY: World Vision India office ransacked and the Staff has also fled to jungle for protection.
9) CHRISTIANS TAKE SHELTER IN FOREST FOR PROTECTION: A police camp at Barakhama was also attacked by the Hindu fundamentalists. With several houses being burnt down and people being made homeless, many Christians,particularly from Nua Sahi, Munda Sahi and Suna Tonga have fled into forests for their lives.
10) NUN RAPED: A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese working Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed.
11) SENIOR PRIEST AND NUN INJURED: Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a disheveled state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was then set afire.
12) BALLIGUDA CHURCH BUILDINGS DESTROYED AGAIN: On 24th August 2008 evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24th and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent and hostel damaging the properties.
13) CHRISTIAN BOYS HEADS TONSURED: The mobs in Balliguda caught hold of two boys of the Catholic hostel and tonsured their heads.
14) PHULBANI CHURCH DAMAGED: On 25th august 2008 morning followers of the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in Phulbani, the district headquarter town.
15) MOTHER TERESA BROTHERS ASHRAM ATTACKED: Mobs attacked the Mother Teresa Brothers' residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients.
16) BHUBANESWAR BISHOP'S HOUSE ATTACKED: On the morning of 25th August 2008, violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of Catholic Church and Archbishop's house in the heart of the Capital of the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police presence. They threw stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop's House, damaging windows.
17) DUBURI PARISH: Another group of fundamentalists entered presbytery in Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged property. Two priests of the parish are missing.
18) Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and his property damaged, vehicle looted and burnt.
19) A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged.
20) Christian institutions like St. Arnold's School (Kalinga Bihar) and NISWASS report some damage.
21) BOUDH DISTRICT [Adjoining Kandhamal]: Fundamentalists enter the Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to safer places. But nothing seems safe.
22) MUNIGUDA: Muniguda Catholic Fathers and Nuns' residence have been damaged.
23) SAMBALPUR: HM Sister's residence (Ainthapalli) has suffered damage.
24) PADANPUR: One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital. Hostel boys and the in charge have moved away from the place.
25) MADHUPUR: Madhupur Catholic Church currently under attack.
26) SMALL CHURCHES: Attempted violence on small churches in various districts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera, Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tummiibandh, Tangrapada, Phulbani, Balliguda, Kalingia, Chakapad, Srasanranda.
27) VILLAGE CHRISTIAN HOUSES ATTACKED: Houses attacked on forest hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia (G.Udayagiri), Padangiri, Tikabali.
28) KALAHANDI DISTRICT: Houses burnt even though the district is more than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was killed.
29) PASTORS' HOUSE BURNT: Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his house burnt in Bhawanipatna.
30) KHARIHAR: 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up.
31) AAMPANI: Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their families.
32) NAKTIKANI: Mob surrounds village to attack Christians.
The government has sent forces, it is reported. A delegation of Christian leaders under the leadership of Archbishop Vincent Concessao, the President of National United Christian Forum of CBCI, NCCI and EFI, met the Home Minister Shri Shiv Raj Patil and submitted a memorandum. The Home Minister assured the delegation all necessary steps have been taken to maintain peace and harmony and protect the innocent. He also expressed his helplessness by stating that police protection cannot be given in all villages.
EFI request prayers at this time so that peace and harmony may prevail.
[This list is compiled with assistance from Archbishop's House, Bhubaneswar, John Dayal, Light Foundation and EFI News reporters and other sources]

Rev. Dr. Richard Howell
General Secretary
Evangelical Fellowship of India
New Delhi, India

Orissa Update by Advocate B D Das

Today the Christian community in the state of Orissa  has experienced another communal violence by the members of the Sangh Pariwar inspite of precaution taken by the state authorities. The   incident occurred during the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) statewide bandh (shutdown) in Orissa to protest against the murder of its leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a member of VHP's central advisory committee, and four other people who were killed at his Jalespata ashram in Kandhamal district in Kandhamal, Orissa by more than 30 suspected Maoist rebels on Saturday.

People resorted to road blockades from Saturday night and continued till   this evening. Vehicular movements at various places of the state were affected due to the demonstration of the activists of Bajrangdal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, RSS, Hindu Jagaran Morcha and, supported by the BJP, a ruling coalition partner. 

Trains were also detained by the activists at various railway stations and roads were blocked. Meanwhile high alert was sounded in entire state following the assassination of the religious leader and security arrangement was made to safe guarding the place of worship/ churches. However the forces were inadequate and were not able to prevent any kind of un-lawful activities of the activist in the entire state.

Several churches and prayer halls were torched, police outposts were attacked and about 20 vehicles damaged in the communally sensitive state during the bandh. Several educational Institutions , Christian  shops and  houses  were damaged  and two police outposts were ransacked . Activists accompanying body of the slain leader defied curfew and held processions passing through Phulbani town, attacking churches, houses and vehicles of one community in the presence of the police. The place of worships were desecrated, women were burnt and raped and Christian priests were subjected to inhuman torture. Christians were burnt alive. Many villagers are now hiding in the forests to save their lives. The Christian institutions have been closed down due to security reason. The law and order situation in the state is completely paralised. If the situation is not handled properly it may mount to an unmanageable magnitude. To address this issue at this juncture it is warranted that, either the CRPF or the Army in adequate strength be deployed to restore the law and order situation. Appended below please find some of the information we have received. Kindly pray for the restoration of peace in the state of Orissa.  

Heinous incidents by the erratic mob

Ø 3 numbers of churches are burnt in Dumerguda, Talsara, Sundergarh.

Ø Catholic Church in Phulbani was burnt.

Ø Baptist church in Phulbani was attacked and all furniture was burnt.

Ø Houses (Christians) were attacked in Phulbani.

Ø Pastor's and Asst.Pastor's houses were burnt in Phulbani.

Ø 3 numbers of CNI churches were attacked in Kandhmal.

Ø Church in Koraput was burnt.

Ø Ichhapur Carmel School in Bhadrak was attacked and school buses were broken.

Ø World Vision  Office in Bhawanipatna was attacked and the office vehicle was

o burnt.

Ø A family in Bhawanipatna was attacked.

Ø A church in Jeypore was attacked'

Ø Two schools and  hostels in Muniguda were attacked and burnt.

Ø The Catholic Church at Satyanagar, Bhubaneswar was attacked.

Ø The CNI church in Chandipali, Bargarh was attacked.

Ø A Pentecostal church in Sambalpur was attacked.

Ø NISWASS and XIM in Bhubaneswar were attacked.

Ø A church and about 20 numbers of houses were burnt and a person named Rasananda Pradhan was killed in Rupagaon, near Chakapada.

Ø Christian houses in Nuasahi, Baliguda were damaged.

Ø In Khuntapali, Padampur an Orphanage (Missionary House) was burnt, Father Edward was burnt, children were burnt and a nun was burnt alive. 22 numbers of inmates are untraceable.

Ø The church and pastor's house in Padampur were burnt.

Ø Church in Sukinda was burnt.

Ø A brothern church in Gosaninuagaon, Berhampur was attacked.

Ø Office of the Compassion East India (NGO) in Bhubaneswar was attacked.

Ø A church in Bhimaguda, Nabarangpur was attacked.

Ø School and hostel in Madupur, Sohela, Bargarh was attacked.

Ø School bus of the De Paul School, Berhampur was burnt.

Ø Mission India Church at Jayadev Vihar, Bhubaneswar was burnt.

Ø William Carey School in Jatni, NH-5 was attacked, 5 numbers of school buses were broken.

Ø Church in Bidanasi, Cuttack was attacked; the cross was broken and is being taken forcefully by the fundamentalists.

Ø A nun named Mina Barua was raped and a Father named Thomas Clave was made naked.

Ø Church in Rayagada was damaged and a Jeep was burnt.

Ø Church in Raikia was burnt.

Bibhu Dutta Das

ORISSA ANTI CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE UPDATE 25th August 2008

NUN REPORTED BURNT ALIVE: A Christian woman, possibly a nun, was reported burnt alive on 25th August 2008 by a group of Vishwa Hindu Parishad mob which stormed the orphanage she ran in the district of

Bargarh (Orissa). Police Superintendent Ashok Biswall has told this to news reporters. A priest who was at the orphanage was also badly hurt and is now being treated in hospital for multiple burns.

NUN RAPED: A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese working Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed.

SENIOR PRIEST AND NUN INJURED: Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a disheveled state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was then set afire.

BALLIGUDA CHURCH BUILDINGS DESTROYED AGAIN: On 24th August 2008 evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24^th and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent and hostel damaging the properties.

The mobs in Balliguda caught hold of two boys of the Catholic hostel and tonsured their heads.

PHULBANI CHURCH DAMAGED: On 25th august 2008 morning followers of the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in Phulbani, the district headquarter town.

MOTHER TERESA BROTHERS ASHRAM ATTACKED: mobs attacked the Mother Teresa Brothers’ residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients. Fundamentalists have targeted Priests, religious and also the Faithful in Pobingia also.

BHUBANESWAR BISHOP’S HOUSE ATTACKED: On the morning of 25th August 2008, violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of Catholic Church and Archbishop’s house in the heart of the Capital of the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police presence. They threw stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop’s House, damaging windows.

DUBURI PARISH; Another group of fundamentalists entered presbytery in Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged property. Two priests of the parish are missing.

Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and his property, vehicle etc. damaged, burnt and looted.

A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged. Christian institutions like St. Arnold’s School (Kalinga Bihar),AND NISWASS report some damage.

BOUDH DISTRICT [Adjoining Kandhamal]: Fundamentalists enter the Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to safer places. But nothing seems safe.

Muniguda Catholic Fathers and Nuns’ residence have been damaged.

Sambalpur HM Sister’s residence (Ainthapalli) has suffered damage.

Padanpur: One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital. Hostel boys and the in charge have moved away from the place.

Madhupur Catholic Church currently under attack.

SMALL CHURCHES: Attempted violence on small churches in various districts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera, Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tummiibandh, Tangrapada, Phulbani, Balliguda, Kalingia, Chakapad, Srasanranda.

VILLAGE CHRISTIAN HOUSES ATTACKED: Houses attacked on forest hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia (G.Udayagiri), Padangiri, Tikabali.

KALAHANDI DISTRICT: houses burnt even though the district is more than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was killed.

Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his house burnt in Bhawanipatna.

Kharihar: 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up.

Aampani: Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their families.

Naktikani: Mob surrounds village to attack Christians. The government has sent forces, it is reported.

[This list is compiled with assistance from Archbishop’s House,Bhubaneswar and other sources]

2 persons arrested for killing Saraswati

Two persons were arrested in connection with the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati who was gunned down by unidentified persons on Saturday night even as Orissa government admitted lapses might have occured in his security.
Home Secretary T K Mishra refused to divulge which community the two arrested persons belonged.
"There could have been lapses on the security of Saraswati. Therefore, Kandhmal SP Nikhil Kanodia and Officer-in-charge of Tumudibandha police station Jena were placed under suspension", Home Secretary T K Mishra said.
Mishra told reporters that though the police were yet to pinpoint lapses in the security which appeared to be inadequate.
"It is the responsibility of the local police station and the district SP to deal with threats of important personalities", he said conceding that though police were informed about the danger to Saraswati's life, necessary arrangements were not in place.
Saraswati had earlier escaped at least nine attempts on his life, police sources said.
Though Mishra had on Sunday ruled out possibility of communal dimension to Saraswati's killing, he said today that police were probing all angles, including involvement of Maoists, in the incident.
He said the kind of arms used and the manner in which the attackers executed the killing indicated Maoists' involvement.
He said though the state had asked for four battalions of para-military force, the Centre sent only three companies of Rapid Action Force and two companies would be sent to Kandhmal district. The other company would be kept in reserve.

Click here for Source

FAX to President to intervene

URGENT FAX 25 August 2008
TO PRESIDENT OF INDIA
SEEKING ARMY / CENTRAL FORCES INTERVENTION TO PROTECT CHRISTIANS IN
ORISSA AS NUN IS RAPED, PRIESTS INJURED, CHURCHES AND OFFICES BURNT IN
PRESENCE OF POLICE
Hon'ble Mrs., Pratibha Patil
President of India
Dear President
Greetings from a grieving community.
You are aware of the still continuing carnage against the Christian
community, mostly Dalits and Tribals, in the Kandhamal district of
Orissa and in several other districts including the state capital of
Bhubaneswar since 23rd August 2003 following the killing of Vishwa
Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, reportedly by
Maoist groups who have been operating in the state for some time.
The Christian leadership in the country has unequivocally condemned
the killing of the VHP leader and his four associates.
The Christians of Kandhamal are still nursing their wounds from the
Christmas 2007 violence, with hundreds of them still living in a
refugee camp in Barakhama. Most of the more than One hundred churches
then destroyed remain in ruins, and the burnt houses are still to be
fully rebuilt.
And yet local Sangh leaders have targeted the community in a second
wave of macabre violence.
A nun has been raped in Kandhamal, a Catholic father grievously
injured, scores of houses in villages destroyed, apart from Churches
and institutions. I attach herewith a partial list of the damage in
the violence in the past two days. We in Delhi are overwhelmed with
panic messages from Priests, pastors, nuns and common people who look
to New Delhi for help as the State machinery ahs collapsed once again.
Changing of superintendents of police as a knee jerk reaction does not
provide security to Christians. In fact, much of the violence is
taking place with the insufficient police force looking on. This had
been the case in 2007 December, as has come out in the on going
hearings of the Justice Basudeo Panigrahi Commission. Christian
delegations have informed the State Governor, the State Chief Minister
and the Home Minister of India of the dire situation of our community
in Orissa.
Dear Madame President,
This is to request you to use your powers as President of India, and
the tremendous force of your good offices, to impress on the Central
Government to rush adequate Union forces, including contingents of the
Armed Forces if required, to restore law and order and governance in
the Kandhamal region.
The consequences of any further delay, I fear, may be catastrophic for
our Christian community in the State in particular, for peace in
Orissa in general, and for the fair name of India as a secular country.
God Bless you
John Dayal

Violence spreads in Kalahandi as well

According to reports just received from Kalahandi many incidents of violence and house burning have taken place in the district even though it is more than 300 kilometres from the place where Swami Laxmananada was killed.
Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission was beaten up and his house was burnt in Bhawanipatna. In Kharihar, 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt.
Pastor Alok Das was also beaten up at Kharihar as was Pastor I M Senapati who has been a Bishop in the Church of North India.
In Aampani Pastor David Diamond Pahar was beaten up by more than 200 people and they chased him away from Aampani. He is hiding in nearby villages.
Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik were beaten up and chased away with their families.
In Naktikani an angry mob surrounded the village to attack Christians. The government has sent forces and they are trying to control the mob.
Meanwhile according to reports, a Christian delegation has met the Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil and expressed their concern over the incidents.

Orphanage set on fire in Orissa village, nun killed

Bhubaneswar: A nun was burnt to death and a priest injured when suspected Sangh Parivar activists set fire to an orphanage run by Christian missionaries in a village in Orissa’s Bargarh district on Monday.


First reports from Khuntapali village say the suspected Sangh Parivar activists first pulled out children from the orphanage and then set it ablaze at around 1600 hrs. The 25-year-old nun and the priest were trapped inside. The priest is now recovering in a hospital.

In the past Hindu extremists in Orissa have attacked Christian missionaries. In 1999 an Australian missionary, Graham Staines, and his two sons were killed by a mob that set their car on fire.

The incident occurred during the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) statewide bandh (shutdown) in Orissa to protest against the murder of its leader in Kandhamal district on Saturday.

Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a member of VHP's central advisory committee, and four other people were killed at his Jalespata ashram in Kandhamal district, 340 km from Bhubaneswar, on Saturday evening after more than 30 suspected Maoist rebels opened fire on them.

Over a dozen churches and prayer halls were torched, police outposts attacked and about 15 vehicles damaged in the communally sensitive Kandhamal district during the bandh.

Two churches were damaged in Phulbani town and two police outposts were ransacked near Nuagaon, while churches and prayer halls were attacked in Baliguda, Barkhama, Tikabali and Udaigiri areas.

Activists accompanying body of the slain leader defied curfew and held processions passing through Phulbani town, attacking churches, houses and vehicles of one community, police said.

In the state capital, saffron activists fanned out in large numbers in order to enforce the bandh and blocked important roads and intersections.

Road and rail traffic was affected while shops and business establishments remained closed across the state during the bandh, supported by the BJP, a coalition partner in the ruling combine.

(With inputs from PTI and IANS)

Click here for source

Naxals attack Orissa ashram, kill 5 key VHP leaders

New Delhi: In a Naxal attack in the communally sensitive Kandhamal district in Orissa, 30 armed Naxals ambushed the Ban Basi Kalyan ashram for girls when Janmashtami celebrations were taking place on Saturday evening killing six people.
The Naxals threw grenades and opened indiscriminate firing at the ashram.
All the dead were prominent VHP leaders including senior leader and ashram chief, Lashmananda Saraswati, Arupananda, Chinmayananda and Mata Bhaktimayee.
Lashmananda Saraswati had received a letter threatening him on Saturday morning, asking him to stop religious activities at the ashram.
Tension broke out at some places in the tribal-dominated Kandhmal after the attack on the ashram and roads leading to Tumudibandh were sealed, police said adding steps were taken to prevent any communal flare-up in the district.
Kandhamal, which witnessed violence during Christmas in December last year, has long been a communal flash point. In January this year too, violence had erupted after Christian missionaries were attacked by Hindu groups.
The district has been put on high alert and additional police forces, including the CRPF, have been rushed in to keep stock of the situation. Section 144 imposed in entire Kandhamal district.
In a fallout of the Kandhamal incident, a prayer house was burnt in Tentulieadapada area of neighboring Sundargarh district on Sunday.
The whole state of Orissa has been put on high alert.
VHP has called for 12-hour Orissa bandh on Monday to protest the killings.
BJP and VHP members have started their agitation and are blocking trains and roads in various parts of Orissa including Bhubaneshwar.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has appealed the people to maintain peace. He has also promised to take stringent action against those found guilty.

http://www.ibnlive.com/news/naxals-attack-orissa-ashram-kill-5-key-vhp-leaders/71990-3.html

Protests in Orissa over killing of VHP leader

Thousands of people blocked roads and stopped trains in several places in Orissa on Sunday to protest the killing of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader and four others on Saturday night by armed assailants in the communally-sensitive Kandhamal district. A high alert has been sounded across the state.

VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, who was leading a campaign against cow slaughter and religious conversion, allegedly by Christian missionaries, was shot dead at his Jalespata ashram, some 340 km from here.

"More than 30 men opened fire at the octogenarian leader, killing him and four others," district collector Kishan Kumar told IANS over phone.

"The attackers overpowered the 10 security personnel opened fire from their automatic rifles," Kumar said. "We have found a letter from the spot which indicates it may be a Maoist attack." The attack took place at around 7.30 pm.

Saraswati was a member of the central advisory committee of the VHP.

The authorities have clamped orders prohibiting the gathering of four or more people in the entire district. Security has been beefed up in the area.

Thousands of people blocked roads at several places in the state. The state government has asked the police and district administrative heads to remain alert.

"There have been sporadic incidents of road and train blockades in the state," inspector general of police Pradeep Kapoor told IANS. A high alert has been sounded across the state, he said.

"Thousands of policemen and paramilitary force troopers have been deployed in the district to avoid any untoward incidents," he said.

Kandhamal district, with a population of around 600,000 including 150,000 Christians, is considered one of the most communally sensitive regions in the state.

The region has witnessed numerous clashes between Hindus and Christians in the past.

Saraswati has served tribes, mainly Kandhs, in the region. His main ashram is located at Chakapad in the same district. The place where he was killed houses a residential school for girls and an ashram.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Puri Sankaracharya Nischilananda Saraswati, Bajrang Dal leader Subash Chauhan are among those who have condemned the killing.

http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080062715

Trainee Evangelist arrested for Tract distribution in false charges of 295 & 297 IP

Sangh Parivar activists on Aug 20th attack evangelist in Benasil village, Dasamantapur block,Koraput Dist for distributing Gospel tracts

Around 8.30 Am, Premdan Khora(35) of Indian Evangelical Team was sent by Kandpan Gouda of Bersaba Church to distribute Gospel tracts.

At around 11 Am, Nearly 100 VHP activists who were conducting a Protest Rally against the Panigrahi Commission set up to probe the Dec '07,Anti Christian Violence in Kandhamal District of Orissa Commission in Dasamantapur block pounched on Premdan and mercilessly thrashed him for nearly an hour, till he was barely conscious.

The radicals snatched away and destroyed the tracts and finally handed him over to the local police with different written false charges.

GCIC immediately commissioned Advocate Mr Pravat Kumar Bidika , who contacted officials at the Police Station.

However, the Sangh Pariviar, who have political clout threatened the police officials and an FIR was lodged and registered vide 34/08, dtd.20.08.08 under 295 and 297 IPC against Premdan Khora.

On 21st Premdan was forwarded to the Court as a culprit under case no GR 442/08, dtd.21.08.08.

Now he is in the District Jail of Koraput because of the Court is closed for Hindu festial holidays. GCIC will move his bail petition on coming Monday i.e.25.08.08 to secure the release of Premdan.

www.persecution.in

Carmelite Priest Tortured, Killed in Andhra Pradesh

BALAMPILLY, AP (ICNS): The tortured and disfigured body of a Carmelite priest was reportedly found in the Yellareddy area of Naxalites-infected district of Nzamabad in Andhra Pradesh.

The body of Father Thomas Pandippallyil, 37, a member of Carmelite of Mary Immaculate, as found when people waiting for Sunday Mass in a village began a search after the priest failed to turn up.
On a way side in Yellardy they found his body with legs and hands crushed with sever beatings, and eyes were pierced with a sharp weapon. He is believed to be killed on Saturday night. His motor bike was also found abandoned.
The body was found almost a kilometer from the motor bike that he used. His head and also had serious injuries. The body was found in a deserted area in Balampilly village.
On Saturday he reportedly offered a Mass Burgida village, where he stayed and started for another village to say Sunday Mass. On his way he visited an FCC convent in Lingapetta and had his supper.
On Sunday the sisters were waiting for the priest for the mass in Yellareddy, and not finding him there initiated a search.
A Post mortem was conducted and the burial would be at the Balampilly Provincial house on Wednesday morning.
The priest was actively involved in educational field. He joined the Chanda mission of the CMI on 24th June 1987. He was ordained a priest in 2002. He was the rector for the Chanda mission province of the CMI, and also worked as hospital administrator, school manager and mission centre director.

INDIAN CATHOLIC - Carmelite Priest Tortured, Killed in Andhra Pradesh - BALAMPILLY, AP (ICNS): The tortured and disfigured body of a Carmelite priest was reportedly found in the Yellareddy area of Maoist-infected district of Nzamabad in Andhra Pradesh.

The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Nizamabad News : Pastor found murdered

Pastor found murdered

Staff Reporter

NIZAMABAD: A church pastor Padepalli Thomas (38) was found murdered at Mosalikunta on Lingampet-Yellareddy road, about 90 km from the district headquarters, late on Saturday night. The deceased clergyman was also the correspondent of the Jeevadhan High School attached to the church in Yellareddy.

His body bearing stab injuries on the abdomen and chest was recovered from the scene of offence. According to Additional SP, Y.A. Srinivas Rao who rushed to the spot, the pastor was coming back to Yellareddy after conducting evening prayers at Lingampet and Burigidda churches when he was attacked.

The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Nizamabad News : Pastor found murdered