30 Christians Killed, Thousands left homeless in Orissa:   Supreme Court Intervenes; Hindu Fundamentalism Whacked  

The killing of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Laxmanananda Saraswati by the Maoists in the tribal dominated Kandhamal district in Orissa on 23^rd August 2008 has provoked Hindus to attack Christians in retaliation killing at least 30 people out of which at least 8 were burnt alive.  Although the Maoist have claimed the responsibility of killing the VHP leader in an interview to an Oriya Daily, the Hindus are adamant in their claim that the killing is schemed by Christians as the slain VHP leader was very active in the area for reconverting the Christians into Hindu and he violently opposed the missionary activities by churches.  

The flames of violence sparked at Kandhamal have now spread to the other districts of Orissa.  Hundreds of churches and thousands of houses and institutions have been burnt, desecrated, and vandalized across the State.  Over 50,000 people have been displaced and left homeless.  Police were only silent bystanders as the rioters’ rampaged village after village. Thousands of Christians are still hiding in forests and nearly 17,000 people are now living at relief camps.  Almost all the church buildings and houses belonging to the members of Church of North India have been burnt and many are killed.  The accurate number of people killed is not possible to record as the miscreants have either burnt them alive or are immediately burning the dead bodies of those killed by them.  

The Boys’ Hostel at Sunapanga was put to flame by the miscreants rendering 40 under privileged boys shelterless who are now taking shelter in the nearby forest with their Hostel Warden. This Hostel was taken over by the CNI Ministry with Children and we had started supporting 40 boys in this Hostel recently.  

Our CNI Bishops of Phulbani, Cuttack and Sambalpur Dioceses have been threatened of deadly consequences if they continue their missionary activities in Orissa.  The Church of North India has condemned the killing of the VHP leader and the attack on Christians equivocally.  In a press statement issued by the Church of North India, Rev. Dr. Enos Das Pradhan, General Secretary, lamented the killing of innocents and appealed for peace and solidarity.  The churches and civil societies across the nation have expressed their solidarity with the victims by organizing peace rallies and fasting prayers.  

Meanwhile, ecumenical delegations have met the President, the Prime Minister, the Union Home Minister, the Chairperson of UPA, the Governor and the Chief Minister of Orissa and have demanded security of Christian minority in the State and a CBI probe into the killing of VHP leader and innocent Christians.  On 2nd September 2008, the Archbishop of Cuttack had approached the Supreme Court seeking a CBI probe into the violence against Christians in Orissa and a ban on the proposed rally of VHP on 7th September 2008.  On the basis of a writ petition filed by him the Apex Court had directed the Orissa government to file an affidavit on the steps taken by the state administration to curb the violence.  Through the affidavit the Orissa government on 4th September 2008 assured the Supreme Court that it will take all possible steps to protect Christian minority in the state and will not allow VHP leader Praveen Togadia's proposed rally carrying the ashes of slain Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati in the state.

Fear of attack has taken every Christian into its grip and our people are living in the most persecuting time of their lives.  We request the recipients of this e-news to kindly uphold our brothers and sisters in Orissa and more so for eternal peace in the region.