Mizoram Donates Relief for Riot–hit Orissa Christians

Christians in North–eastern state of Mizoram have collected more Rs.6.85 lakh to help victims of recent wave of violence against Christians in Orissa.

"Sources in the committee formed to collect donations for Christians in Orissa said on Wednesday that the fund would be utilised in rebuilding houses damaged during the violence," PTI reported.

They claimed that some Christians were not only tortured and rendered homeless, but were killed by fanatics during Christmas festivities.

They also alleged that the state government and the Centre did not do anything to ensure security of the Christian community while state police remained mute spectators to the violence.

A clash over a decorative arch for the Christmas celebrations on December 24 led to large–scale communal violence and attacks on churches throughout the district. Four people were confirmed death while 95 Churches and 730 houses were burnt down or destroyed, according to All India Christian Council (AICC).

According to Global Council of Indian Christian (GCIC), an advocacy group based in Bangalore, the life of violent hit Christians are far from returning to normal, and the governments at the centre as well as the state must continue to monitor the situation closely till normalcy returns to the affected districts in the state.