EU diplomats urge peaceful Christmas; No shutdown on Dec 25

Church leaders are seemingly worried over the Orissa bandh declared on December 25. However, assurances by the state government to not permit the statewide shut down might be a lot comforting.

On Monday, Orissa govt. asserted that it would call off the bandh by some Hindu groups.

"No shutdown will be permitted Dec 25. The government will come down heavily on those who try to create any trouble," said Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

In addition, the Home Secretary too was vocal, while addressing the diplomats of the European Union countries, who urged the state to be "extra careful" about the shutdown.

Padhi informed them, the violence sensitive areas would be sealed from December 21.

He further alleged that there is no violence in Kandhamal district since October and 38 companies (nearly 3,800 personnel) of Central forces and police were deployed in the district as a precautionary measure.

The diplomats who expressed concerns and even met with Christian leaders in Orissa include: Second Secretary of British High Commission Ruth Wills, First Secretary of Italian Embassy Gabriele Annis, Deputy Head of Mission from Irish Embassy Pat Bourne, Second Secretary of Netherland embassy Bart Paans and Deputy Head of Mission from Finland Embassy Lissa Valijento.

The Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati Sradhanjali Samiti (SLSSS) has threatened to observe Orissa Bandh on Dec 25 if the govt. fails to arrest those involved in the murder of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati.

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of the Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar says the bandh would cause fresh violence on Christians.

"Our persecutors have announced there will be new attacks against us by Christmas. Therefore, the message of the extremists for those who hope to come back and those who live in uncertainty is clear: only conversion to Hinduism will save them."

According to the Bishop, still at least 11,000 Christians are in state-run relief camps in the district. "Everyone fears new acts of violence if they were to return to their cities," he said.