Orissa governor responds to GCIC demands

Responding to the recently culminated protest rally by the Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC), the Governor of Orissa, Rameshwar Thakur, promised to address the issues and have relief distributed to the victims.

GCIC, last week protested the inaction of the Orissa administration in the December 2007, anti–Christian violence that damaged more than 100 churches and injured at least 5000 Christians.

"The government makes announcements and tall claims but the fact remains that the people of Kandhamal are still suffering the after–effects of the violence," said GCIC.

Its President, Dr. Sajan K George, alleged that contrary to claims of the government that it had brought the situation under control within four days of the violence and relief as well as rehabilitation measures are in full swing, the affected families continue to be tormented.

In addition, the violence has also affected the students who were appearing for their examinations. "Their text and note books were damaged or lost in the riots and massive disruption of normal life has occurred. We request that the exams be rescheduled and the children be given special coaching classes," demanded GCIC.

The Orissa Governor assuring a time bound action from its Government, asked the persecuted Christians to submit its report and demands.

In December 2007, a series of communal violence occurred against Christians in Phulbani, Daringbadi, Bamunigaon and Baliguda towns of Kandhamal district in Orissa.

It is alleged that the VHP activists fanned the pre–existing tension in the region, amongst people of different caste and tribes, on the issue of conversion.

A three–member fact finding committee, led by National Integration Council,strongly criticised the ruling BJD– BJP government in Orissa state, saying that it (Orissa government) had shown callous indifference to a tragedy that was waiting to happen.