New Delhi, Sep 9 (PTI) Demanding strict action against VHP and Bajrang Dal for their alleged involvement in Orissa violence, the CPI(M) today asked the Central Government to list these saffron outfits as terror organisations.
In a letter to Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, CPI(M) Politburo member Brinda Karat claimed that these outfits were indulging in "terrorist activities" and thus "seriously" undermining national security.
"The severest action be taken against the Bajrang Dal and VHP by applying the necessary procedures to check their terrorist activities," Karat said demanding "the outfits be put under watchlist of outfits indulging in terrorist activities." The CPI(M) leader claimed that the recent incidents in Orissa have highlighted the use of violence by these outfits against Christians, including use of weapons and inflammatory materials to burn houses and churches.
"In Bhubhaneswar, it was reported that the son of a BJP leader and his accomplice, associated with one of these organisations, were arrested when the bomb they were making exploded.
"Recently in Kanpur, two Bajrang Dal activists were killed while making bombs...In addition their leaders are making the most rabidly communal speeches," Karat said adding there were reports of attempts being made to spread violence in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan by these outfits.
In her letter, she also pointed out to the revelation by anti-terror squad of the Mumbai Police that these outfits have a "carefully prepared plan" to create communal disturbances by exploding bombs. PTI
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
CPI(M) demands strict action against saffron outfits
Government is fueling violence in Orissa state - Congress
Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Sept. 9: The Congress expressed apprehensions over the communal violence in the state and questioned whether the BJD-BJP government was allowing this to polarise tribal votes in its favour.
"Does this government want the violence to continue till the next elections," asked AICC leader in charge of Orissa and Union minister Mr Ajay Maken here today.
A government which does not agree to suggestions of an all-party meeting, peace processions in Kandhamal and demand for a CBI probe into the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati can only be construed as one which is allowing communal tension to prevail, remarked Congress leaders at a Press conference here.
Iterating the demand for a CBI probe, Mr Maken said: "Why is the CM shying away from ordering such a probe... the killing of Laxmanananda Saraswati on 23 August was a deep-rooted conspiracy and the fallout in terms of violent attacks in Kandhamal warrants a CBI probe".
He repeated the charge that the BJD-BJP government was out to repeat the Gujarat experiment in Orissa. "What else could be the reason to allow someone like Mr Pravin Togadia to tour Kandhamal and prevent Union minister of state for home Mr Sriprakash Jaiswal and others from entering the district," he charged.
Reacting sharply to Mr Maken’s allegation, BJD leader and tourism minister Mr DP Mishra today said: "It is highly irresponsible on the part of Mr Maken to make such statements at a time when peace and normalcy has been restored in Kandhamal."
"Orissa is not Gujarat and Kandhamal is not Godhra," said Mr Mishra while adding that the law and order situation in Hyderabad or for that matter Delhi is worse than that of Orissa.
“The Congress should look at its own performance in Delhi and Andhra Pradesh or for that matter its handling of the Jammu and Kashmir violence before preaching here,” he said.
Orissa refuses to hand over Kandhamal riot case to CBI
Bhubaneswar, Sept 9 (PTI) Rejecting the opposition demand for a CBI probe into communal violence in Kandhamal, Orissa government today alleged it was being politically used by ruling Congress at the Centre.
"There is no point in handing over the Kandhamal incident to CBI because it was being politically used by Congress," Orissa's Excise Minister Debi Prasad Mishra told reporters here.
"CBI had lost its credibility by giving clean chit to Italian businessman Ottavio Quattrocchi, an accused in the Bofors case," he charged.
Claiming Orissa police was effectively investigating into the killing of VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati and communal violence thereafter, the minister alleged CBI adopted "soft" attitude towards Quattrocchi after the UPA government came to power in 2004.
Denouncing union minister Ajay Maken's claim that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik lacks control over administration in checking communal riots in Kandhamal, the minister asked the Congress not to indulge in blame game as it could expose the party's role in anti-Sikh riots in the aftermath of Indira Gandhi's assassination in 1984.
"Congress should remember that people living in glass chambers should not throw stones at others," he said.
Quoting media reports, Mishra said "one bride is bunrt in every 12 hours and a woman is raped every 30 minutes in Delhi." "Delhi and Hyderabad, both Congress ruled cities, have reported high rate of crimes against women," he alleged.
PTI
Twenty Christians Houses Burnt in Khajuripada, Kandhamal, Orissa
More news of ransacking and destruction of Christian’s houses are flowing-in at regular interval from across the state of Orissa.
Hindu extremists again struck at night of September 8, 2008 targeting Khajuripada, Kandhamal and completely burnt twenty houses of the believers belonging to Orissa Follow-Up Ministry headed by Rev. Dr. D.B. Hrudaya.
Rev. Hrudaya briefed Evangelical Fellowship of India about the incident. He also looked very disturbed and concerned about the whereabouts of the believers. Till the writing of the report there is no information about these 20 Christian families.
Further, there are reports from the media and the eye witnesses that the drinking water sources of relief camps are being poisoned by the saffron brigade and frequent attacks on the Christians taking refuge in these camps.
EFI requests your prayers for the Orissa Christians who, because of Government inaction against the miscreants, continue to suffer.
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India
Room No. 152,
South Block,
New Delhi, 110001
(O) Tel : +91-11-23012312
(O) Fax: +91-11-23016857
Smt. Pratibha Patil
Hon'ble President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi, 110001
(O) Tel: +91-11-23017290
(O) Fax: +91-11-23017824
Email: presidentofindia@rb.nic.in
Shri Navin Patnaik
Chief Minister of Orissa
Naveen Nivas,
Aerodrome Road,
P.O.-Bhubaneswar,
District-Khurda,
Pin-751001 (Orissa)
(O) Tel: +91-0674-2531100, 2535100, 2531500
(O) Fax: +91-0674-2400100
(R) Tel: +91-0674-2590299, 2591099,2590844,2591100,2590833
Email:cmo@ori.nic.in
Shri Gopal Chandra Nanda,IPS,
Director General & Inspector General of Police
Cuttack, Orissa
(O) Tel: +91-0671-2304451, 2306501
(O) Fax: +91-0671-2304033
Rev. Dr. Richard Howell
General Secretary
Evangelical Fellowship of India
New Delhi, India
Kandhamal Christians under ‘threat’ to convert
The anti-Christian flame in Kandhamal may have become dimmer for a while, but it is far from blown out. Fuelling it is the issue of conversion, which has become a determinant of people’s lives in this part of the country.
Several Christians in 11 blocks of the tribal districts are said to have been “forcibly converted” as Hindus in the past 17 days of mayhem; the rest say they are facing a choice between life and faith.
“The radicals have told us that we can live here only as Hindus. They are giving deadlines to people to convert or be prepared to face the worst. They asked my family to fall in line by 8 pm on September 3. When we did not agree to convert, they razed our properties,” Jitender Digal, a refugee at Bijaya High School camp in Raikia block, told The Tribune.
In Kandhamal, minorities furnish proof of how “force and fear” is being used to deter people from their faith. Lalu Naik of Balliguda block shows this correspondent a letter whose text, he says, the radicals have framed for the Christians to follow. Signed by Lalu’s father Babulal Naik and 10 members of his family, the letter reads: “Shrijukta Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) mahodaya (Respected VHP official), I was a Christian until now, but I voluntarily want to embrace Hinduism.”
The sample, claim refugees, is meant to facilitate Christians’ conversion to Hindu religion. Such letters have been floating around for a fortnight, with covert but stern messages to Christians to convert. The first targets in this “war” of conversion are pastors, now hiding in the relief camps by thousands. Three of them - Samuel Naik, Akhar Digal and Dibya Digal from Raikia and Udaygiri blocks - have already lost their lives in the recent violence. In each case, the killers first asked the victims if they were ready to become Hindus, say relatives.
Samuel Naik’s son Ramesh, who witnessed killings of his father and grandmother, recounts, “They gave three warnings to my father. When he refused to abandon his faith, they slaughtered him. My grandmother met the same fate.” Ramesh is now hiding at the G Udaygiri camp, while his mother Upojini Naik is at the Raikia relief camp, where over 200 pastors are seeking refuge.
Among them are Subodh Naik, Bijay Pradhan, Subodh Digal and Ulkeshan Naik, who claim being on the radicals’ hit list. “They want us to join them and prove our loyalty by attacking churches and killing Christians. They have threatened to eliminate us if we don’t listen to them.” Many pastors are missing or feared dead.
As for forcible conversions, they are mostly reported to be happening in G Udaygiri, Raikia, Tikabali, Chakapad and Balliguda blocks, with Christians now demanding a separate district. Ashok Behera, a camper at Tikabali, says, “We want a district with a Christian collector, a Christian SP and a Christian block development officer. We have lost faith in the system as close to 2,000 Christians have been converted.”
VHP leaders for their part remain adamant as ever, claiming they will “do everything possible to protect the Hindu faith in Orissa.” Kabi Chandra Nath, who assumed charge of the Jalaspeta ashram after Laxmananda Saraswati’s death, goes to the extent of defending the radical stand, saying, “We are not converting anyone. We are simply bringing misguided followers back to the fold.” Never mind the cost.
Tuesday, September 09, 2008
Orissa bans all yatras
Special Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa government on Monday imposed a ban on all yatras in connection with the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Lakshmanananda.
This follows the interim orders of the Supreme Court to maintain peace and protect Christians in the State.
The VHP, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, Bajrang Dal and their allies had announced that they would take out yatras in every village to spread the ‘message’ of the Swami killed in Kandhamal district on August 23.
Collectors of all 30 districts were asked to ensure no rallies and processions were taken, Home Secretary Tarun Kanti Mishra told journalists here. Mr. Mishra claimed normality was fast returning to Kandhamal district, which witnessed widespread attacks on Christians following the killing of the Swami.
According to Mr. Mishra, the State government would inform the Supreme Court on September 11 about the measures taken to restore peace in Kandhamal.
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Orissa violence similar to Gujarat riots: Agnivesh
Press Trust of India
Saturday, September 06, 2008, (New Delhi)
With the violence against Christians in Orissa creating widespread condemnation across the country, a prominent religious leader said on Friday that the attacks on the minority community were "very similar" to the 2002 Gujarat riots.
"The killing of Swami Laxmanananda is being used as an excuse to target minorities in Orissa like the Godhra incident was used in Gujarat to fan the communal cauldron," Swami Agnivesh, President, World Council of Arya Samaj, told reporters in New Delhi.
The killing should be properly investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) so that the real culprits are apprehended, he added.
"The Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and the Bajrag Dal are getting tacit support from the Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) which is part of the ruling coalition in the state to instigate violence in the state," he alleged.
A fact-finding team of Swami Agnivesh, Shabnam Hashmi and Vimal Thorat recently visited the state to enquire about recent violence in Kandhamal.
"To some extend, the repeat 2002 Gujarat riots are taking place in Orissa. With the same preparedness and planning," claimed social activist Shabnam Hashmi.
"We heard reports there that the attackers had lists with them while targeting the victims," she alleged.
"It is very surprising that while we were not allowed to go into area, but were asked to wait till September fourth. VHP leader Pravin Togadia was allowed into the region with full police protection," Agnivesh said.
"What is more strange is that the Union Home Minister for State Sri Prakash Jaiswal was turned back as state refused to give him any security to the troubled area," he added.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
Nuns beaten up in Chhattisgarh
Two nuns traveling with four orphan kids by Chattisgarh express from Raipur to Indore were pulled out at Durg Railway Station and brutally beaten up by Bajrang Dal/ VHP activists on 5th September 08 at 6 pm.
The nuns are serious and admitted in Durg Government Hospital. According to reports the police handed over the nuns to VHP goons before taking them to the Hospital.
The local pastor's fellowship then met Speaker of Legislative Assembly Mr Prem Prakash Pandey assured assured legal action against the culprits
Friday, September 05, 2008
Pray for slain VHP leader in Orissa: Missionaries of Charity
Kolkata, September 5: Superior-General of Mother Teresa's Missionaries of Charity, Sister Nirmala said that religion should not be used to divide people.
"Essence of all religion is love -- love of God and love of one another. Violence on the ground of religion is an abuse of religion," she said decrying the communal riots in Orissa.
Quoting Mother Teresa, on her death anniversary this Friday, Nirmala said "Religion is meant to be a work of love. It is not meant to destroy peace and unity. Works of love are works of peace. Let us use religion to become one heart full of love in the Heart of God."
Sister Nirmala also called for prayers for slain VHP leader Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati, his four associates and those who died in the violence in Orissa's Kandhamal district.
"Let us put down the weapon of hatred and violence and put on the armour of love. Let us forgive one another and ask forgiveness from one another for the wrong we have done to each other and reach out in love to each other."
"We are brothers and sisters. No matter, what our religion, race, culture or language is. Nothing should separate us," she observed.
Yatra won’t be permitted: Orissa
Yatra won’t be permitted: Orissa
J. Venkatesan
New Delhi: The Orissa government on Thursday assured the Supreme Court that it would not allow VHP leader Praveen Togadia’s yatra on Friday or any other day carrying the ashes of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, who was killed in his ashram in Kandhamal district on August 23.
A Bench consisting of Chief Justice K.G. Balakrishnan and Justices P. Sathasivam and J.M. Panchal recorded the assurance and asked the government to maintain law and order and ensure that no untoward incident took place in the riot-hit district. The court asked the State to file a report and posted the matter for September 11.
Earlier, Additional Solicitor-General Gopal Subramaniam, appearing for the Centre, and senior counsel Colin Gonsalves for the petitioner (Archbishop of Cuttack Raphael Cheenath) urged the court to stop the yatra as it would result in serious consequences.
Appearing for Orissa, senior counsel K.K. Venugopal said: “We have not given any permission for the yatra and we will prevent it. We will take all possible steps to stop the yatra [of Mr. Togadia] at the State border and will not allow any outsider to enter the State. We will be able to control the situation if the Centre deploys four additional battalions of paramilitary forces and we will ensure that no untoward incident takes place.” Prohibitory orders under Section 144 of the Cr.PC ban were already clamped in the whole of Kandhamal district.
The Chief Justice told Mr. Venugopal: “Take steps to ensure that no one is allowed to inflame the situation. We can’t give any concrete direction. Our attempt is only to see that these sorts of yatras should not result in violence.”
The Bench was hearing the writ petition filed by the Archbishop seeking a CBI probe into the killings of Christians and damage caused to churches and other institutions in Kandhamal district.
The Additional Soliticor-General said Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil, who had toured the riot-hit areas and visited relief centres on Wednesday, assured the Orissa government of all possible help to restore normality. Adequate number of CRPF personnel had been deployed.
Mr. Subramaniam said the situation was very tense and the State should not permit any activity that would escalate tension.
Mr. Gonsalves urged the court to stop Mr. Togadia’s yatra, which, if allowed, would result in inflammatory speeches. Provocative messages during the yatra would have serious consequences.
He cited the demolition of the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya in 1992 despite an assurance given by the then Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, and said assurances to maintain law and order during the yatra should not be accepted.
In response to Wednesday’s direction, the Orissa government filed an affidavit giving details of deployment of paramilitary forces and the State police to protect lives and property.
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
SC directs Orissa to submit report on Kandhamal by Thursday
NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Orissa government to place by tomorrow its report relating to steps taken to protect lives of people belonging to the Christian community in riot-hit Kandhamal district.
The apex court also asked the state government to put on affidavit whether any permission was granted to VHP leader Praveen Togadia for his proposed Yatra carrying the ash of slain leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan posted the matter for further hearing for tomorrow.
In Orissa, life is limping back to normalcy where communal strife has claimed 16 lives, the police said on Wednesday.
Inspector General of Police Pradeep Kapur said that the worst-hit Kandhamal and Koraput districts had reported no breach of law and order on Tuesday and early Wednesday.
"But the possibility of fresh violence can never be ruled out. We are here to intervene promptly if such things happen," Kapur, camping in Kandhamal, said.
The violence erupted after Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and four others were killed by unidentified gunmen at his ashram in Kandhamal Aug 23.
The police said that Maoists were responsible for the killing. But blaming Christians for the murders, thousands of Hindus attacked Christian homes and churches. The violence left at least 16 people dead.
The government deployed police and paramilitary forces in 12 of Orissa's 30 districts. Curfew was imposed in Kandhamal and in a part of Koraput.
SC directs Orissa to submit report on Kandhamal by tomorrow
The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Orissa government to place by Thursday its report relating to steps taken to protect lives of people belonging to the Christian community in riot-hit Kandhamal district.
The apex court also asked the state government to put on affidavit whether any permission was granted to VHP leader Praveen Togadia for his proposed Yatra carrying the ash of slain leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.
A Bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan posted the matter for further hearing for tomorrow.
Indian priest describes mob ordeal 'like being tortured for Christ
By Anto Akkara
Catholic News Service
BANGALORE, India (CNS) -- Father Thomas Chellen, undergoing treatment at a Catholic hospital in Bhubaneswar, India, said he was grateful to be alive after a Hindu mob nearly set him on fire.
"They had poured kerosene on my head, and one held a matchbox in his hands to light the fire. But thanks to divine providence, in the end, they did not do that. Otherwise, I would not have been there to tell this horror," the 55-year-old priest, director of the pastoral center at Konjamendi in the Indian state of Orissa, told Catholic News Service in a telephone interview from his hospital bed Aug. 28.
Following the Aug. 23 murder of a Hindu leader, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, by Maoist extremists, Father Chellen said Hindu mobs started attacking Christian centers in Kandhamal, the district where the slain leader was based.
When a Hindu mob of 500 people broke into the pastoral center around noon Aug. 24, Father Chellen said he fled through the backyard with another priest and a nun.
"It was heartbreaking for us to watch from a distance the entire complex go up in smoke," said Father Chellen, who had supervised the construction of the center that opened in 2001 and could accommodate 200 people.
"They vandalized everything and set it on fire. It has been reduced to ashes," he added.
As the three watched from a distance, some other priests told them to flee.
"We fled to the jungles and came in the night to take shelter in the house of a Hindu friend and spent the night there," Father Chellen said, adding that the second priest left them to join other priests.
The following morning, he said, the Hindu family moved the priest and nun to an adjacent vacant house and locked it to give the impression that no one was inside.
However, the Hindu mobs overheard the priest speaking on his cell phone, broke into the room and dragged him and the nun outside.
"They began our crucifixion parade," said Father Chellen. The gang of about 50 armed Hindus "beat us up and led us like culprits along the road" to the burned pastoral center.
"There they tore my shirt and started pulling off the clothes of the nun. When I protested, they beat me hard with iron rods. Later, they took the sister inside (and) raped her while they went on kicking and teasing me, forcing (me) to say vulgar words," said the priest who has cuts, bruises and swollen tissue all over his body and stitches on his face.
"Later both of us, half-naked, were taken to the street, and they ordered me to have sex with the nun in public, saying nuns and priests do it. As I refused, they went on beating me and dragged us to the nearby government office. Sadly, a dozen policemen were watching all this," he said.
Angry at his plea to the police for help, the mob beat the bleeding priest again.
Later, a government official and members of the mob took the priest and the nun to the police station, where Father Chellen said he was kicked in the face.
"The four-hour ordeal ended when a senior police officer arrived in the evening," said Father Chellen.
The priest said one of the most hurtful things about the incident was that some local Hindus whom he knew were watching the events and ignored his requests for help.
Later, the priest and nun were taken to a nearby police camp, he said.
"They were very kind to us, gave us clothes and slippers," said Father Chellen.
On Aug. 26, the priest and the nun were taken for medical tests. That afternoon they were sent by bus to Bhubaneswar.
Father Chellen said he was admitted to the hospital Aug. 27, while the traumatized nun was taken to a convent. He said the plans called for him to be moved to Mumbai for treatment.
Asked about the how the nun coped with the trauma, Father Chellen said: "We had no option and were simply following their commands. We resisted as much as we could. This is like being tortured for Christ."
END
Naveen regrets riots after Saraswati killing
Bhubaneswar, Sep 2 (PTI) The communal riots following the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati have been unfortunate, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik today said.
Stating that the people of the state had a long record of being peaceful, secular and tolerant to all faiths, Patnaik told reporters the riots were "an unfortunate occurence during the eight-and-a-half years of my government." Claiming that situation in Kandhamal and Koraput was "considerably under control," he said, "Two unfortunate incidents took place recently. The first incident took place in December 2007 and the other one a few days ago." While three persons were killed in the communal violence after an attack on Saraswati on the eve of Christmas last year in Kandhamal, 16 people have died in the ongoing violence which has spread to other districts.
The government has admitted that 558 houses and 17 churches and prayer houses have been burnt in the violence which is still continuing.
Unofficial sources claim that over 30 people have been killed in the violence in Kandhamal district alone.
PTI
Our take on it:
This statement has come too late and is too soft. Especially if you consider that the Chief Minister later went on record to say that situation was now "normal" (reported in the Times of India, 3rd Sep 08). The figures are being grossly understated. The Swami was violent even in his death, but the silence of the Chief Minister killed more.
Orissa Violence: Is it difficult to be human?
The planned violence against Christians in Orissa has opened a new chapter of communalism in India. The saffron monsters are once again engaged in spreading hatred and dividing the country in narrow lines of religions..
WHEN ORISSA was gripped under violence targeted against Christians by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) extremists, there came a report of the World Bank’s latest estimates on global poverty. As per the report, 42 per cent of Indian population (456 million people) is living below newly adjusted international poverty line of $1.25 per day. The population of the poor has reached to 33 per cent (one-third) of the global poor. Moreover, it is quite shocking, but not surprising that those who are engaged in promoting education, moral and social upliftment to the weaker sections of the society, and providing financial support to the poor and downtrodden of our society are being targeted by the enemies of the humanity (ie, saffron brigade).
Whether it is Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Bajrang Dal, Shiv Sena or the VHP, they have one thing in common, they are all made to harm the minorities for their own motives and setting their politics of hatred and immorality to further their unholy, ill-designed tasks. First, it was Muslims and now they are targeting Christians. More shocking is the fact that political parties known for spreading communal hatred and engaged in inciting violence against the minorities are once again queuing up unashamedly denying the VHP’s role in the attack on churches, orphanages, and burning alive the workers there.
According to a report published in the Times of India few days ago, it is clear that the state government is handicapped and responding at a very slow pace and it seems they are turning their eyes from all the mess in Orissa. The present violence in Orissa has been planned under the same modus operandi that was observed in Gujarat. The local administration and communal forces are hand-in-glove in planning and executing attack against minority Christians in Orissa. An official was quoted in the TOI saying, “Though two additional Rapid Action Force (RAF) companies were rushed in, cops in the southern district found it difficult to move into interiors because of road blockades.”
The story of the systematic attacks on Christians have solid ground, if a pastor from Bhubaneshwar is believed who was quoted in the TOI saying, “A mob of about 70–80 people came with tyres, kerosene, petrol, and axes. Many of them were drunk.” Certainly, this is pointing towards the systematically planned attempt of communalists, which the intelligence agencies and the police must be aware of.
I was surprised when I read the news that a delegation of Christians met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Thursday (August 28) and demanded severe action against the culprits and compensation for the victims, it was when the PM told the delegation that he will talk to the chief minister of Orissa to take actions against the culprits.
Hatred against any religion, caste, or sect and burning alive people as well as attacking innocents and engaging in arson of religious buildings and orphanages should be condemned and cannot be justified, whatsoever is the defence line. To be human is not as difficult.
We should first work for the betterment of downtrodden, depressed and miserable people, like what the Christian missionaries are doing, only then we can change the hearts of the people. Not surprisingly, it was Swami Laxmananad who himself once said, “The sooner Christians return to the Hindu fold, the better it would be for the country.” One should keep in mind that it is only love, care and support, which can win hearts of humans and nothing else.
Moreover, it is us, who should decide whether we want to be a nation with prosperity for all or be a “proud” nation having soaring graph of poverty and misery. Think and decided now before the time goes out of reach!
Priest recounts terror in Orissa
MUMBAI: "I was conducting a prayer meeting in Orissa's Makandapur village when more than 300 Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists arrived with lathis , swords, guns, spears and trishuls. They said they would kill us because we were Christians,'' said Fr Ashish Missale who fled the murderous mob to spend two days in wilderness.
Recounting the ordeal to the media on Tuesday, Fr Missale said how one of the devotees was done to death right in front of his eyes. "They hit Mukund Bardhan on his head. They then flung him in the air and stabbed him. His cry still pierces my ears.''
Armed with slides-each of which depicts death and destruction in the villages of Orissa-Missale narrated how he, along with the other devotees, fled after the VHP attack. "Children were crying and we were all afraid. We didn't know what would happen to us,'' he said. They spent two days in fear and unsure of their safety. Fr Missale then reached his district headquarters where he was instructed to come to Mumbai. He arrived on Monday evening.
Fr Missale now gets calls and SMSes from the VHP. "They say that if they see me, they will kill me on the spot.'' Filing an FIR in Orissa has become very difficult as the police are on the side of the perpetrators, Missale said.
Fr Nabod Berdhan, another priest who fled from Orissa, said, "I want to go back and save lives as soon as possible .'' R B Sreekumar, former DGP of Gujarat police, who was also present at the press meet, said, "No communal violence can take place for more than an hour anywhere if the police act as they should. Mob actions are completely preventable offences. The government's inaction against the perpetrators of violence in Orissa in December 2007 has caused this violence.''
Outlining the future course of action , activist Teesta Setalvad said the need of the hour is relief and rehabilitation . "We demand a ban on the Bajrang Dal and the VHP and will begin a national campaign for the same,'' she said. A fact-finding report on the post-2007 violence is expected in 15 days. Activists hope to update the findings with fresh inputs after a visit scheduled next week.
Joseph Dias, general secretary, Catholic Secular Forum, said the silence of the BJP, RSS and the VHP in not condemning the attacks speaks for itself. Churches of Mumbai will hold a prayer rally at Azad Maidan at 3 pm on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Fr Bernard Digal, who suffered multiple injuries after being attacked, was brought to Mumbai for treatment. He is presently in the ICU of a city hospital.
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Paswan for ban on RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal
New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) Strongly condemning the attack on Christians allegedly by Sangh Parivar activists in Orissa, LJP leader and Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan today sought a ban on RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal.
The Lok Janshakti Party will hold a demonstration here on September four protesting the violence in Orissa which was "shameful and dangerous for national integrity", Paswan told reporters here.
To a question as to why he opposed ban on SIMI, while demanding such an action against the Sangh Parivar outfits, he said "my suggestion is to set up an independent inquiry commission that will analyse the activities of various organisations and recommend ban if they are involved in any anti-national work".
The commission with social scientists and human rights activists as its member can study the role of various organisations in spreading terror and communal tension.
"If SIMI has to be banned, then why not VHP, Bajrang Dal or RSS," Paswan, who had shared power with BJP till 2002, shot back, adding that until there were evidences of SIMI's involvement in terror acts, it should not be banned.
On Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Mayawati declining to recommend CBI probe into the Kanpur blast incident in which two Bajrang Dal activists were killed, he said that it showed that the BSP supremo was going soft towards the BJP.
Paswan, who had shared power with BJP till 2002, hit back the saffron party for condemning his suggestion to grant citizenship to Bangladeshis in India, saying that it had failed to identify them when it led a coalition at the Centre. PTI
Situation tense in riot-hit Kandhamal
Bhubaneswar, Sept 2 (PTI) At least 80 houses were torched in sporadic violence in Orissa's riot-hit Kandhamal district even as the state government suspended day curfew and beefed up relief and rehabilitation operations.
A high-level team of officials, including Home Secretary T K Mishra and Director General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda, visited the district to review the situation and assess the extent of damage, official sources said today.
The visit was to work out strategies for containing arson and violence in the communally-sensitive district as well as stepping up relief and rehabilitation operations for the affected people, they said.
At least 80 houses were torched in fresh arson in several villages of Tikabali and Sarangada areas since yesterday afternoon despite considerable improvement in situation that prompted authorities to suspend day curfew, the sources said.
Describing force scarcity as a big handicap in containing arson, IGP (Intelligence) R P Singh said only 2,500 personnel from various forces including CRPF were available to combat violence in villages across the district.
"As the arson continues to trouble rural pockets, there is only one jawan to tackle the situation in every village," a senior police officer said.
Several women were also seen indulging in arson at some places, Revenue Divisional Commissioner (RDC), southern division, Satyabrata Sahu said, adding more measures were being taken to tackle the situation.
However, the situation was now effectively under control and fast returning to normal, said another official.
As many as 19,000 riot-affected people were sheltered in relief centres set up in 10 of the district's 12 blocks. PTI
Friday, August 29, 2008
Asian rights body claims that over 50 killed in Orissa
New Delhi, Aug.29 (ANI): The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today claimed that over 50 persons, mainly Christians, have been killed since the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists launched an attack on Christians last week.
It said that the deaths followed the murder of four of VHP members, including 90-year-old Laxmananda Saraswati by unidentified gunmen on August 23, 2008.
Providing the names of 20 victims killed so far, it said: “This is an abject failure of the Indian State to protect the right to life of the citizens. Since all entry roads have been blocked with logs and the law enforcement personnel have access to remote areas of the district, the Hindu fundamentalists are being allowed to carry out mass killings of the Christians.”
Suhas Chakma, Director of ACHR, stated that thousands of Christians have fled their villages and some 5,000 people are now living in seven relief camps at Chakapad, Tikabali, G. Udaygiri, Raikia, Baliguda, K.Nuagoan and Phiringia.
About 200 villages have been affected by the organized attacks and hundreds of churches, including house churches have been burnt, he added.
Criticizing the Orissa Government, the ACHR stated that instead of increasing security, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had suspended the Superintendent of Police of Kandhamal and ordered a judicial probe. It further accused Patnaik of ordering an investigation by the State Crime Branch and no one knows who is in charge of inquiries.
“What was required was the deployment of security forces given the attacks on the Christians during the Christmas in 2007,” asserted Chakma.
It called for the restoration of the rule of law and appropriate redressal to victims displaced by the violence, besides establishing an independent inquiry into the events to establish responsibility and take steps to prevent any further politicization of communal tensions. (ANI)
Prelude To Carnage?
The killing of VHP’s Swami Laxmananda Saraswati in Orissa has set off a wave of communal violence
BIBHUTI PATI
Bhubaneshwar
COMMUNALLY-SENSITIVE Kandhamal district, the site where India’s worst-ever anti-Christian violence broke out last December, is a lit fuse fast inching into conflagration after the gunning down of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Laxmananda Saraswati and five other persons last week.
Mourning Children paying homage to Swami Laxmananda Saraswati
Eighty-five-year-old Sarsawati, who was an active campaigner for converting the state’s Christian tribals to Hinduism, had been a guest at an ashram for girls in Jalasapeta village in Kandhamal’s Tumudibandha block. On the evening of August 24, armed assailants entered the ashram and fired indiscriminately; along with Laxmanananda, two women and a child were also among those killed. The assailants are suspected to have been Maoists — a letter found at the spot bore the name of one Azad, said to be from the Bashadhara Committee of the CPI (Maoist), and stated that the VHP leader “had to pay the price for last year’s riots”. State Director-General of Police Gopal Chandra Nanda was, however, cautious about assigning responsibility for the assassination, stating only that it appeared to have been the work of “extremists”.
The VHP, however, has been quick to blame Kandhamal’s Christians, reopening the floodgates to the poison that swept the district in the last weeks of 2007. Saraswati was at the centre of that conflagration as well with a rumoured attack on him last Christmas Eve providing the impetus for the riots that killed at least four people and damaged over 800 homes. Most of those affected were families below the poverty line, the average economic profile in this deeply under-developed region. As of this writing, in the upsurge of rage that has followed Saraswati’s assassination, a lynch mob has reportedly burned one person (a paralytic) alive; at least three prayer houses and 10 homes are said to have been gutted as well. An orphanage in Phutapali in Bargarh district was set on fire. A pastor was hurt in the fire, but 20 children escaped unhurt. Road and rail blockades and demonstrations across the state have prompted the issuing of prohibitory orders in Kanhamal, while the rest of Orissa is on high alert.
Saraswati, a member of the VHP’s central advisory committee, had apparently anticipated an attack for some time. Last Friday, he had sought security cover from the Tumudibandha police station. Who he was in apprehension of is not immediately known, but, after last year’s riots, while Christian groups blamed the VHP, he, in turn, accused local Maoists of fomenting communal tensions. Just before his arrival in Tumudibandha, he had been an active participant in a state-wide agitation over the Amaranath shrine land row.
Bordering the notoriously impoverished Kalahandi, Kandhamal shares in its neighbour’s indigence. The district’s population is numbered at over six lakh, more than half of whom are Kandh tribals, who are mainly Hindu. Dalit Panos form another 18 percent of the population; of them 70 percent are among the district’s 1,50,000 Christians. Communal animosity here is thus steeped in the added venom of tribe versus under-caste, locked in contest for the advantages that accrue from reservations. Flashpoints have erupted between the two for 20 years now. VHP belligerence over conversions, however, has a history here of more than four decades. Saraswati’s main ashram at Kandhamal’s Chakapad was established in the late 1960s. It has been stoking anti-Christian sentiment in the region ever since.
This week will be a tense time not only in Kandhamal but across Orissa. The state’s politicians, bureaucracy and police have been blamed in the past for the deep communal polarisation said to be entrenched in their ranks. In the days to come, Saraswati will be hailed as a martyr while Orissa’s minorities will wait in dread. The political will of Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik to prevent the state from descending into carnage is now under great test. •
WRITER’S EMAIL
bibhu_gutul@yahoo.com
Christians rally for Orissa riot victims
Kolkata (PTI):Christians on Friday took out a procession here demanding protection for the members of the community and churches in violence-torn areas in Orissa's Kandhamal and Bargarh districts.
Protesters, under the banner of Bangiya Christiya Pariseba, an apex body of Christians, assembled near Utkal Bhavan and demanded immediate deployment of military and para-military forces to control the situation.
They held placards reading 'CM, answer why Christians are being persecuted in Orissa'.
The group said organisations involved in "anti-national" activities should be banned and submitted memoranda to the Resident Commissioner of Utkal Bhavan, addressed to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the Governor and Chairman of National Human Rights Commission.
All Church-run schools remained closed in West Bengal as part of protests against alleged attack on Christians in parts of Orissa.
'Everything was over within minutes in a Christian village'
Bhubaneswar, August 28: Mobs ransacked a church and clashed with Christian villagers in Orissa on Thursday, police said, as authorities struggled to control spiralling religious violence in the region.
Mobs have destroyed more than a dozen churches and attacked Christians in eastern Orissa this week after the murder of a VHP leader in Kandhamal district, a tribal area where Christian missionaries have been active for years.
Shoot-on-sight orders and curfews to control violence have so far failed to end clashes that have killed at least 11 people.
Police deployed more than 3,000 personnel in the streets on Thursday but they could not stop the ransacking of at least one church. Local media said as many as four churches were attacked.
"Police are marching in several areas now," Orissa police chief Gopal Chandra Nanda said.
Television pictures showed mobs armed with rods putting up road blocks on Thursday and others attacking churches.
Other mobs armed with bows and arrows and axes have attacked Christian homes, dragging out women and children. Hundreds have fled to forests and nearby hills, officials said.
"Moments after we passed by a Christian village, people set it on fire and everything was over within minutes," a senior police officer, speaking on condition of anonymity, said from Kandhamal, the worst-hit district.
Around the Kandhamal area, home to around 650,000 people, more than 20 per cent of the mainly tribal inhabitants are Christian converts.
Religious violence has troubled tribal regions of Orissa for years, with Hindus and Christians fighting over conversions.
While Hindu groups accuse Christian priests of bribing poor tribes and Hindus to change their faith, the Christians say Hindus convert willingly to escape a complex caste system.
The killings have drawn international reactions. Pope Benedict has condemned the violence against Christians in Orissa but also deplored the killing of the Hindu leader.
On Thursday, peace committees were set up in villages to bring community leaders together for talks, but Christians in many villages said attacks were worse than what the government has said.
Schools Attacked in Madhya Pradesh
Bhopal : Five Schools and a Church attacked in Madhya Pradesh following the protest closure of institutions, on 29th August 2008, run by the Christian community in Madhya Pradesh. The members belonging to the VHP, Bajrangdal and other organizations carried out these attacks in Gwaliar district, Barwani district and a Church in Gwaliar district.
Fr. John Xaiver , Vicar General of Gwaliar diocese, said ,“the protesters came to four of our Christian schools shouting slogans against Christians , the police reached in time. Therefore damage was controlled.” After visiting the affected schools and Church Advocate Raju Francis , the Vice President of the Madhya Pradesh Isai Mahasangh , called on the people of Madhya Pradesh to develop courage to face any impending incidents.
The schools attacked in Gwaliar are , Carmel Convent school, St. Teresa’s School , St. Paul School and St. Paul Evangelical Lutheran School. Sr. Theodoerit, principal Carmel Convent school said, “they came and started shouting slogans and braking whatever was in their vicinity. Christians and police came in time so damage limited.” In the St. Paul Lutheran School the situation is worse their school and school bus which was out side parked was attacked. Rev. S P Das is the principal of this school. Fr. Nixon , the principal of St. Teresa’s school said that the miscreants destroyed many things in a short time. They entered the Church before they could do any thing people and police came to the campus and they went away shouting slogans.
In Barvani a large group of VHP and Bajrangdal members came to the school on 28th August itself protesting the closure of the school. Principal Fr. Jose P A said ,”I have closed the school, I have clearly conveyed this to the protesters that the management will abide by the decisions of the CBCI, the highest decisions making body of the Catholic Church.
Mr. Kurishinkal Joshi , President of the Madhya Pradesh Isai said “the protest is complete in Madhya Pradesh , along with Catholic institutions the non-catholic institutions too joined the protest. We had said all our district units to talk to all Christian institutions to close institutions as a mark of our respect towards those who died.”
Fr. Anand Muttungal, the PRO & Spokesperson, Catholic Council of Bishops and coordinator of the M.P Isai Mahasangh , said, “We must not be happy with the closure of institutions but continue to helpo the victims, We are holding a Srandhanjali Sabha,(Gathering to pay tribute to those died in riots), to pay our respect to the deceased and ask God’s blessing to face all situations. After this a Vehicle Rally will be taken out to the Madhya Pradesh Congress Party State Head Office in Bhopal. We will submit a memorandum addressed to UPA Chair person Mrs. Sonia Gandhi. This is to appeal to the Central Government to initiate steps to contain the violence.”
Bhopal district president of the M.P Isai Mahasang, Mr. Antony John said, “ the congress seems to be equally responsible for the worst situation in Orissa. It took long time to act and it gave the rioters time to attack more Christians.”
Fr. Anand Muttungal
PRO & Spokesperson
Catholic Council of Bishops, M.P
www.mpcatholicinfo.org
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.
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.
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.
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.”
Thursday, August 28, 2008
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 5th 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
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
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?
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
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
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.
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.
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.
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.