Baptist pastor found murdered in Orissa

Bhubaneswar – The brutal murder of a young Baptist pastor in Nawapara district of Orissa has left the Christian community in a state of shock and anger.

Rev. Gilbert Raj, a native of Kerala, was working in Orissa for the last 13 years and lately, worked as a director of a children’s home. Missions India, an interdenominational Christian organization, managed the children's home, a hostel for economically and socially challenged Dalits (former low caste) and tribal children from different villages in the district, according to Baptist pastor Rev. Amson Mallick.

On February 15, an unidentified gang reportedly accosted and abducted Rev. Raj while he was returning to the children’s home.

Subsequently, on February 16, the body of the pastor was found inside a motor–repair shed. According to police report, the pastor was tortured before being murdered.

According to news sources, an independent probe by Missions India people revealed the slain pastor had an altercation with a long–term associate shortly before he was slain. Since the body was found inside the associate's workshop, the main suspicion has fallen on the associate.

Church of North India Bishop Rueben Senapati of Cuttack has condemned the murder, calling it "heinous" and “shocking.”

Rev. Swarapnanda Patra, secretary of Orissa Baptist Council, said Christians in Orissa have been under attack for the past several years and the government has failed to make them feel secure. It is high time the state administration made serious attempts to curb attacks on Church personnel and institutions, he asserted.

Fr. Kishore Sabhasundar, the priest in charge of Dharmagorh Catholic parish in neighboring Kalahandi district, said the "brutal killing" is "unfortunate" and "uncalled for."

Police investigations are still on.