Kandhamal Violence 

Kandhamal District of Orissa witnessed fresh violence against the Christian minority community again on July 8, 2008 six and a half months after the violent attacks of Christmas 2007 which left more than a hundred churches and institutions destroyed and thousands homeless. The violence which erupted in the afternoon resulted in a Jesuit father’s house, a Church and a Christian-run orphanage being attacked and partly destroyed today by followers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati in Tumudiband, Malikpada.

The violence seemingly erupted when some Hindu Dalit Panas villagers of Tumudiband who while returning home after killing a cow, were accosted by one Bulu Chauduri or Madhaba Baba (holy man) and his followers.
Enraged by their act, Madhaba Baba apparently informed Lakhsmanananda who immediately rushed to the spot, where he conducted a meeting in protest. However, the anger was vented on the local Christian community.

The Superintendent of Police (SP) said, “The situation is under control. While the hooligans had attempted to enter the premises of Christians, they were prevented from doing so.” He informed that three CRPF battalions have been stationed in the area to ensure no untoward incident takes place. The police were also guarding many of the major churches which had been burnt in December 2007 by VHP and RSS hordes. The SP confirmed that no persons had been injured in the violence.