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.

Click for source

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.

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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)

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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

Students attacked in Andhra Pradesh

According to reports from GCIC, a team of Christian students was attacked by Hindutva goons in Miryalguda, Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh. The attackers also seized Christian literature from the team and burned them down.
On 29th July two Christian girl students were spotted by around 3 Hindutva hardliners while they were distributing Christian literature among the college students in the area.

Catching the girls unaware the miscreants attacked them, beating them and snatching away the Christian books. Three boxes of books which were carried by the team were also destroyed by the Hindutva gang.

Following this the attackers pelted stones at a Christian house nearby.

Not satisfied with this the miscreants themselves complained to the police that the Christian students were engaged in forced and fraudulent conversions and registered an FIR against them. Last heard local Christian leaders have also given a complaint against the attackers to the police.

Pastor threatened in Andhra Pradesh

ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA (ANS) -- A pastor was threatened for showing the well-known Jesus movie.

The incident occurred on July 27 in Andhra Pradesh in India.

According to a story on www.persecution.in, Pastor Devadanam organized a screening of the Jesus movie at his residence in Sanjeev Nagar Colony. The event drew about 100 people.

The website reported that as the film was being shown, between 15 and 20 young people from the Indian Peoples Youth Front (the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janatha Political Party, BJP) burst into the home.

According to the story, without saying anything the young people destroyed the speakers, tables and projector. They also tore and burned the screen, along with Bibles.

As the incident continued, the pastor and his family took refuge in one of the rooms in the house and locked the door. Banging on the door but unable to get in, the alleged perpetrators shouted to the pastor that if he ever screened the Jesus film again, they would kill him.

The story on www.persecution.in reported that following the attack, the pastor filed a complaint with the police against the alleged attackers. Six of the assailants were taken by law enforcement officers to the police station.

According to the story, Devadanam came to faith in Jesus many years ago, and has been in full-time Christian service for about a decade. His house church serves about 25 families.

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Christian team attacked in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh

Hyderabad: Hindutva activists have attacked a Pastor and a Christian media team representing The Book of Hope at Jangaon in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh. The attackers have also destroyed the media kit, including the film and the screen.

A team from The Book of Hope was screening a film on Jesus under the supervision of Pastor Devadanam of Telugu Baptist Church at Jangaon on 27 July 2008. Around 8 pm, more than 30 members belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party, Viswa Hindu Parishad and Bajarang Dal arrived at the venue and ransacked the place. They also beat up the Pastor and the team members and then destroyed the screen, the film and the furniture.

Thereafter the attackers sat in dharna in front of the Pastors’ residence, protesting against conversion activities in the area. They damaged the gate and doors of the house. The Pastor’s plea to spare them fell on deaf ears. They then went back to the spot where the film was screened and destroyed all the books and pamphlets and set fire to them. Upon this, the Pastor rang up the police, informing them about the continued attack by the Hindutva men. Just before the police arrived, they escaped into the dark.

On 28 July 2008, a group of Christian leaders took out a procession to the office of the District Superintendent of Police, wearing black badges. In the meantime the Circle Inspector of Jangaon approached them, assuring that similar incidents would not happen again.

By evening, the police official got all the attackers together and brought about a compromise between them. The Christian leaders thereafter withdrew the police complaint.

Source: AICC

Pastors arrested in Rajasthan

Pratapgarh: Five Christians have been under police custody in Rajasthan for their alleged vandalisation of an idol of a temple nearby.

A Pastor belonging to Good Shepherd Community Church (GSCC), who has been running a worship group at Hamirpura village under Talamgarh Police Station in Arnod taluka of Pratapgarh district, Rajasthan, has been facing resistance from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), led by the local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sarpanch. The Hindu radicals wanted the Pastor to stop all his activities at the village.

It so happened that an idol of a nearby temple was found broken recently. Taking advantage of the situation, the activists filed an FIR at the police station alleging that the Pastor and his believers had damaged the idol. Since the police were aware of the truth, they refused to act. However when the radicals threatened to take law into their hands, the police kept the five Christians at the police station as a precautionary measure.

On 21 July 2008 morning, local Christian leaders arrived at the police station and held talks with the police. The police officers said they were convinced of the innocence of the Christians and promised to release them the same day.

GCIC

Christians arrested on false charges

Pratapgarh: Five Christians have been under police custody in Rajasthan for their alleged vandalisation of an idol of a temple nearby.

A Pastor belonging to Good Shepherd Community Church (GSCC), who has been running a worship group at Hamirpura village under Talamgarh Police Station in Arnod taluka of Pratapgarh district, Rajasthan, has been facing resistance from Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), led by the local Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) sarpanch. The Hindu radicals wanted the Pastor to stop all his activities at the village.

It so happened that an idol of a nearby temple was found broken recently. Taking advantage of the situation, the activists filed an FIR at the police station alleging that the Pastor and his believers had damaged the idol. Since the police were aware of the truth, they refused to act. However when the radicals threatened to take law into their hands, the police kept the five Christians at the police station as a precautionary measure.

On 21 July 2008 morning, local Christian leaders arrived at the police station and held talks with the police. The police officers said they were convinced of the innocence of the Christians and promised to release them the same day.

Source: AICC

Question mark on motive: Was anti-conversion law really needed? - ExpressIndia.Com

An excellent coverage on the so called "Freedom of Religion Bill" in Gujarat.

Gandhinagar, July 11 Answer to an RTI question reveals that there have been just three conversions in the last five years

The state government has enforced the anti-conversion law in right earnest from April 1, and even notified its rules in detail on Thursday. But a Home department response to a petition under the Right to Information Act has raised questions over the utility of the legislation that was passed last year amid controversy.

On a query by Ahmedabad-based Samson Christian of the All India Christian Council seeking to know the number of complaints of forceful conversions made to the police in Gujarat in the last five years, the Home department replied “only three” — with two of them in 2007.

Of the three cases, two were connected with conversion to Christianity in Dahod district, while one —closed by the police for want of evidence — was conversion to Islam in Godhra.

The activist says that if this is the number of conversions that came to the notice of the police in two decades, the unreported instances would not be big enough to warrant a whole new Act. “We are going to approach the courts based on this reply against the anti-conversion law,” Christian said.

Christian believes that the Indian Penal Code already has provisions to tackle any forced or deceitful conversion, obviating the need for a draconian law to deal with the issue.

In response to an earlier RTI petition filed by him seeking to know the Gujarat government’s view on what constitutes Hinduism, a confused Home department had passed the query to the Legal department only to get a response that “the government had not defined Hinduism”.

Apart from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Arunachal Pradesh also have anti-conversion legislation., In Himachal Pradesh, the previous Congress led government had passed a similar law late last year.

Christian had also filed a petition before the Gujarat High Court along with Anand-based Alpha Charitable Trust following a police case against the Trust under the new Act in May 2007. After the HC reprimanded the government, the case was withdrawn.

Question mark on motive: Was anti-conversion law really needed? - ExpressIndia.Com

Pastor arrested from home in Madhya Pradesh

Barwani, Madhya Pradesh: 28/06/2008: 10 PM

Madhya Pradesh police accompanied by a crowd of Hindutva zealots disrupted a peaceful prayer assembly today around 10 PM at Barwani and arrested the Pastor and detained the congregation at the police station.

Pastor Hate Singh Rawat who has earlier also been targeted by the Hindutva Fundamentalists of the area, was leading a peaceful prayer meeting at his own home when the local police accompanied by a huge mob of Hindutva activists barged into his home and carried him off forcefully to the police station. The congregation which numbered around 200 was made to follow him as well. 

Reports are still coming in and the last that we heard from the police was that they are investigating and that there is too much commotion in the police station premises. Mr. V K Sisodiya, the police inspector of Barwani Police Station first refused to come on the phone and after many attempts to contact him when he did respond, his reply was a curt, "we are investigating!"

According to local pastors who do not wish to be named, the situation is getting out of hand. The believers, numbering almost 200 have been made to sit in front of the police station, while the Hindutva mob is increasing as they are calling local people to "gherao" the police station. The pastors said that in all probability the Christian leaders will be charged with false cases because the pressure on the police is increasing.

We solicit your prayers for them.

You can also call the Barwani police station at +91-7290-222044. You can send emails to the Superintendent of Police, Barwani, Mr. P K Mathur at sp_badwani@mppolice.gov.in and call him up at +91-7290-222561.

City police entry into church angers pastors

TNN
HYDERABAD: The presence of police at the 40-year-old Hebron Church in Golconda crossroads on June 8 has angered the congregation.

With two groups trying to gain control over the church, police reportedly entered the premises and detained three pastors.
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, senior pastor John Stuart said the Chikkadpally police interrupted the pastors' prayer on June 8 and manhandled elders and pastor G T Benjamin (75) apart from detaining three others.
"Police entered the church with shoes on and terrified the pastors," John Stuart alleged. He said police should not interfere in the matters of church.
On June 8, the pastors of the church alleged, police took charge of the entire service proceedings and ensured that F C S Peter, retired Chikkadpally assistant commissioner of police (ACP) K Lakshmi Naik, however, denied the allegations that police had entered the church.

He said police personnel had been posted near two gates of the church to prevent any clashes.engineer-in-chief, roads and buildings department, and presently director-general, National Academy of Construction, preached from the pulpit.
Peter is said to be a relative of chief minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy.

The Times of India, 15 June 2008

Pastor attacked in Chhattisgarh

Masihi Mandir, an Independent Church, pastored by Rev. Nelson Daniel was vandalized by a group of about 20-25 Hindu extremists on Sunday June 1st 2008, in Oriya Para, Raipur Naka, Durg, Chhattisgarh.
The incident took place at around 11 am during the worship service. The miscreants shouting Jai Sri Ram (Praise Lord Rama) slogans barged inside the church and disrupted the service and destroyed church furniture. They threatened the worshippers of dire consequences if they continue to worship Christ and falsely accused them of converting Hindus to Christianity.
Rev. S. Das of the Mennonite Church, Bhilai informed the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI) that again in the evening around 40 extremists gathered near the Church premises shouting anti Christian’s slogans. The mob claimed they will organize more attacks on the churches in the area.
An FIR has been lodged against the unknown persons under Section 295, 147, 323 of Indian Penal Code.
A group of concerned Christians led by Rev. Arpan Tarun, met the Collector Shri. Subrat on June 2, 2008 and submitted a memorandum. They also spoke to the Superintendent of Police (Rural) Shri. Thakur requesting appropriate action to be taken against the culprits. The delegation was assured of the support of the administration.

Source: EFI

Pastor attacked by Bajrang Dal members near Rewa, Madhya Pradesh

Rewa, Madhya Pradesh, 26th May 2008 - Pastor Rampal Kori (30) who works for Eternal Life Ministries and is a resident of village Maoganj, 65 kilometers from Rewa district, MP was attacked by Bajrang Dal leaders while he was on his way back from Dadar village. The attackers have been identified as Chintaman Kol and Bihari Kol and are said to be block level leaders of Bajrang Dal. According to reports Chintaman Kol hit Pastor Rampal with an iron rod, which knocked him unconscious and left him bleeding heavily.

Pastor Rampal also reports that the attacker duo robbed him of 3000 rupees, which a local Church member gave him for some Church purpose. According to reports last recieved Pastor Rampal had been admitted to the Government run Samudayik Swastha Kendra Maoganj and was recovering from his injuries. An FIR has been filed in the local police station but no arrests have been made. Pastor Rampal and his wife Rajkali (28) have 2 girls 10 and 8 and a boy who is 6 years old.

30 Christian preachers attacked by Hindu radicals at Andhra Pradesh, India

By James Varghese

ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA (ANS) -- In yet another savage attack on Christians in India, news has just come out that some thirty Christian preachers were beaten by Hindu activists belonging to Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) at Bainsa town in the Adilabad district of Andhra Pradesh.

According to a story issued by the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) on their website www.persecution.in, the group of preachers belonging to the Brethren Church went to Bainsa to preach the Gospel on May 23, 2008.

On learning of their presence, the RSS activists first attacked their vehicles and then beat them up, resulting in serious injuries to many of them. Incredibly, the preachers were later taken by the attackers to the police station at Bainsa so they could file a complaint against them and for the police to inquire into their allegations.

As if this wasn’t enough, three truckloads of Hindu fanatics, numbering about 200, then surrounded the police station wanting to attack the preachers again. The Christians had to remain inside the police station as the attackers lay outside waiting for them. Meantime another preacher came to Bainsa town without knowing anything about the attack and was also thrashed severely.

The All India Christian Council has condemned the attack on the preachers and sought protection and safety for them.

Editor’s note: Christians around the world are wondering when the Indian authorities will finally step in and stop what seem to be never-ending attacks on believers in India. One has to ask why Christians in India, the world’s largest democracy, are not allowed freedom of speech in their own country without having to face such violence.

Click here for source

HRD Ministry Asks NMC's Views on Quota for Dalit Christians, Muslims

CITHARA PAUL
Posted online: Wednesday, May 28, 2008 at 2212 hrs

New Delhi, May 27: Though already neck-deep in quota quagmire, the HRD Ministry has now asked the National Minorities Commission (NMC) to present its assessment on the controversial issue of granting Scheduled Caste status to Dalit Christians and Muslims.

The NMC had recently commissioned a study which came up with strong recommendation for granting SC status for Dalit Muslims and Christians on the lines of Dalit Hindus, Sikhs and Buddhists.

The HRD Ministry has also asked the NMC to take up the case with the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment which had earlier expressed some reservations on the issue, saying it would affect the 15% quota for Dalit Hindus.

Interestingly, "quota-friendly" HRD Minister Arjun Singh had made this move when the Government was resisting the pressure from coalition partners like the DMK, Ram Vilas Paswan's Lok Jan Shakti Party and Lalu Prasad Yadav who had made similar demands. They had been asking the Government to place the report by the National Commission for Religious and Linguistic Minorities (NCRLM) Commission before the Parliament which had made similar recommendations on the issue of granting SC status for Dalit Christians and Muslims.

Paswan and Lalu had argued that it would help in taking on Mayawati as it would split her Dalit vote bank as the Hindu Dalits unwilling to share the reservation pie are against it. Both leaders had even taken up the issue with the Prime Minister, who is understood to be "hesitant" in creating yet another reservation controversy.

The study initiated by the NMC had looked into the contemporary status of Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians in terms of their material well-being and social status. It had categorically stated that there was a strong case for including Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians in the Scheduled Caste category.

"There are compelling arguments in favour of such an inclusion based on principles of natural justice and fairness. The balance of pragmatic considerations is also in favour of their inclusion. According due statutory recognition to Dalit Muslims and Dalit Christians would not only right a wrong, it would also remove an indefensible anomaly in our politico-legal system that can legitimately be construed as discriminatory," the study said. "In most social contexts, they are Dalits first and Muslims and Christians only second."

 

Source

1,793 Christians reconverted to Hinduism

New Delhi (AsiaNews) - Yesterday, 1,793 tribal Christians reconverted to Hinduism in a ceremony in Borivli (Mumbai), presided over by Hindu leader Swami Narendra Maharaj. Maharaj, who led the ritual of shuddikaran (purification), said that 42,200 people have been reconverted, above all in the tribal areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat.  He accused Christians of using "luring and misleading" methods to convert Hindus, and said that "an anti-conversion law is needed," because "nobody should be converted, whatsoever be his religion".  He criticised the political parties that "have refused to take a firm stand on the government’s conversion bill", and expressed his hopes for the creation of a "pressure group" that would protect Hindu "interests". He also blamed the Hindu fundamentalist parties Bharathiya Janata and Shiv Sena for not being decisive enough.

There are laws in various Indian states punishing the activity of proselytism.  In general, these are interpreted in the sense that it is not prohibited to convince someone to renounce other religions in order to return to Hinduism, which is considered the "natural" religion for Indians.

On April 14, in the city of Tirunelveli (Tamil Nadu), over one thousand Christian Dalits reverted to Hinduism, and the organisers of the ceremony announced their intentions to reconvert another 20,000 Christians in Villupuram in upcoming months.

The auxiliary bishop of Mumbai, Percival Fernandez, told AsiaNews yesterday that "two points must be clarified: 1) no adult can receive or be given the sacrament of baptism without his or her free consent.  Baptism given by coercive methods is totally invalid, hence the person so baptised cannot be numbered among Catholics. 2) We have been asking persons who are shouting from the house-tops that we are converting people to Christianity by force or other coercive methods, that they should produce before us persons who have been thus baptised and received into the Catholic Church: so far not a single person has been produced.  If they feel shy to do so before us Catholics, let them produce such persons before the courts of law in our country".

On the state anti-conversion laws, Bishop Percival, who is also the chairman of the St. John's National Academy of Health Sciences, maintains that it is more important that "legislators spend their precious time in the legislatures to plan and execute  projects that get drinking water, decent housing, daily affordable bread and  primary education to the millions who are deprived of these basic requirements for which they have a right. Instead of wasting precious time in working out anti-conversion laws, it would be much more profitable if they appointed a high level commission consisting of excellent judges that we have in plenty in the country, identify the persons converted by the Catholics by force and allurements and identify the person who did such a condemnable deed, and punish both concerned with laws that are already available in the constitution of our beloved country".

Source: www.asianews.it

Bible school attacked in Karnataka

Hindu Jagarna Vedike & VHP- hinduvta extremists on 24th May assaulted staff and students of 'Timothy Theological School' in Sathanarayapettai, Bellary district of Karnataka.

Around 12.30 p.m. around 20 extremists led by Mr. Anil Naidu and Siddesh barged into house-church as lectures were going on and attacked Rev. Jayaprakash and the 15 students in the classroom. The radicals then physically assaulted Rev. Dr. Isaac Namadevu, chairperson of the theological school and also Pastor of "Assembly of God Ministry church.

The radicals have beaten up Rev. Isaac and Rev. Jayaprakash. Fifteen students were also injured in the attack. Rev. Jayaprakash has sustained head injury during the attack. The attackers were alleging forceful conversion. The radicals tore the bibles, broke the window glasses and destroyed all the furniture.

Dr. Rev. Isaac Namadevu has filed complaint against the radicals. Mr. Nayak is the Circle Inspector Gandhinagar Police Station apprehended anad detained eleven radicals for enquiry.

Click here for source

Nuns attacked in Bhopal, MP

By Pervez Bari, TwoCircles.net,

Bhopal: A group of miscreants assaulted two inmates and ransacked Novitiate of the Presentation Sisters on Thursday evening on the outskirts of Bhopal here. The incident took place at Gondarmug village under the Gandhinagar Police Station area.

According to Fr. Anand Muttungal, PRO & Spokesperson Catholic Council of Bishops Madhya Pradesh & Chhattisgarh, the Sisters lodged a police complaint immediately after the incident against the unidentified persons at Gandhinagar police station following which nine persons have been arrested under Sections 147, 452, 426 and 502 of the Indian Penal Code, (IPC).

While narrating the incident, Superior of the convent Sr. Silvya Francis reportedly said: “the miscreants numbering 30 first forced their way into the convent campus. Then 12 of them barged into the convent through the main door and began to destroy the windowpanes, television set, lantern and other furniture.” The loss is estimated to be around one lakh.

The anti-socials were armed with hockey sticks, cricket bats and stones, she said adding they vandalized the convent for nearly 12 minutes. They also climbed up the first floor of the two storied building and dragged two of the novices down and manhandled them. Besides this, they tried to lock one of them into a room. However, both managed to escape from their clutches.

The marauders had also disconnected the telephone line before entering into the campus. The convent is the novitiate house of Sister of Presentation since last six years.

One of the novices reportedly said: “ they were shouting at sisters saying, “we are Hindus and we don’t want you here” They also asked them to leave the place, she added.

Reacting to the incident Fr. Anand Muttungal in a statement lamented that it is really sad to see the deteriorating religious harmony along with law and order. The Bharatiya Janata Party, (BJP), ruled Madhya Pradesh Government has failed to follow the High Court interim order to provide security to Christian community, he pointed out.

"We will approach the High Court again because after the court direction there have been around ten such incidents in Madhya Pradesh”, Fr. Anand claimed.

Meanwhile, a delegation comprising of office-bearers of Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh, (MPIM), Roy John Thatta, Richard D’ Silva, senior journalist and Convener of Rashtriya Secular Manch L S Herdenia and Fr. Anand Muttungal, met the Bhopal Collector Manish Rasthyogi and Superintendent of Police Jaydeep Prasad. They have assured strict action on the accused. He also told that he will look into the damage happened to the building.”

Richard D’Silva, General Secretary of MPIM has asked the Government to provide security to the Christian community otherwise, he warned the community may have to take to the streets.

Madhya Pradesh Congress Committee spokesman J. P. Dhanopia while condemning the incident said since the BJP came to power four years back attacks on Christians and their places of worship has been going on at regular intervals. He said that up till now 82 cases of attack on Christians have occurred but still the state government has not woken up from deep slumber. The violence against Christians have taken places mostly in the districts of Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, Ratlam and Jhabua, he pointed out.

Dhanopia has demanded from the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan to order impartial inquiry into the attacks on Christian community and see to it no such attacks take place in future. If this is not done then Congress would have to launch a campaign for it, he threatened. (pervezbari@eth.net)

Click here for source

Team to visit Kandhamal

Bhubaneswar, May 10: A four-member independent tribunal headed by two former high court judges is scheduled to visit Kandhamal district, which had been ravaged by communal strife last December.

They would oversee the relief, reconstruction and security situation. The team would comprise Justice Hospet Suresh and Justice Kolse Patil, former DGP of Gujarat R.B. Sreekumar and human rights activist Teesta Setalvad.

The members of the tribunal will visit Orissa from May 12 to 17.

After arriving at Bhubaneswar on Monday, they will travel to Brahmanigaon in Kandhamal, the place worst affected by the communal violence.

They will visit most of the areas affected by the communal strife and hold public hearings at Baliguda from May 13 to 15. During these hearings, a cross-section of the victims, including displaced villagers, will depose.

The tribunal is expected to return to Bhubaneswar via Phulbani, the headquarters of Kandhamal district, on May 16.

They would present the preliminary report before the media on May 17, said Pran Parichha, convener of the state unit of Indian Christian Council.

Kandhamal district had witnessed communal strife from December 24 to January 2.

Three persons were killed and hundreds of them lost their houses in the riot.

Places of worship also bore the brunt of the strife that threw the district completely out of gear and everything else in a state of disarray.

Source

Goondagiri by BJP in Uttarakhand

Dehradun, May 3 (ANI): Uttarakhand Police on Saturday registered a case against a legislator in Dehradun after BJP activists vandalized a Christian school on the day of a shutdown called by the party.

The youth wing of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ransacked the school on Friday when the BJP issued a call for a nationwide shutdown to protest against inflationary trends in the economy.

The school Principal alleged that the security guard of the school saw Ganesh Joshi, a legislator who was involved in the case standing outside the school gate.

The party cadres broke windowpanes of the Grace Academy School and engaged in a scuffle with the Principal Benjamin Newton.

Around 11.30 a.m. on Friday, a mob entered the school. I went outside to investigate the matter. They asked us whether the school was closed. I replied in the affirmative. But they said that they could see children from outside. They roughed me up, pushed me aside and went in. They came till the reception and saw that all the classes were shut. They enquired about the principal and they hailed me with blows when I admitted that I was the principal, said Benjamin Newton, principal.

Newton charged the police with negligent behaviour as they failed to respond and even delayed in registering the case against the miscreants.

Police lodged an FIR (First Information Report) when several educational institutions came out in support of Benjamin Newton.

Grace Academy has filed a complaint against MLA Ganesh Joshi (BJP) for causing damages and for engaging in a scuffle. They told us that some people came along with MLA to beat up the principal and also broke his glasses, Ashok Kumar, Inspector General of Police, Garhwal, told reporters on Saturday.

Newton also said that if the miscreants were not arrested, the school would remain shut for indefinite period.

However, Joshi played down the entire incident as a minor fracas and brushed aside all the allegations.

For the first time in my political career of 23 years I found that the shops were closed till evening. A few people deliberately created such a situation. So if members of our party displayed aggressive behavior then I don’t consider it wrong, said Ganesh Joshi, MLA, BJP.

Joshi in his defense said that he went to the school to stop his party members from ransacking the school. (ANI)