Orissa violence continues: Protest dharna tomorrow

Despite a curfew imposed and a shoot at sight order, Christian sources claim, the burning and looting of schools, orphanages, homes still continue.

Apart from churches and local Christians, nuns serving the orphanages and Christian mission centers, have been severely affected.

Sources said the ‘Missionaries of Charity’ was attacked, and dozens were physically manhandled and forced to flee to nearby jungles.

Pastor Milan Kumar serving the Faith Assemblies of God Church and who manages an orphanage told Christian Today, "There have been no improvements and the Christian community who has been ameliorating the plights of the tribal people and contributing to some of the biggest developments in the state have been attacked on unsubstantiated reasons."

"We do not know whom to trust, even the police seem benighted and unsupportive. Help is nowhere and fear looms every corners," he added.

According to Kumar, Hindu hardliners have been gathering more forces, some from the neighboring states to join their savage attack.

A national daily meanwhile has confirmed that over 20 people have been killed so far in Kandhamal district of Orissa. At least 16 of them are Christians, while the others were victims of a police shoot–at–sight firing.

Hitting out at the Sangh Parivar, Former Prime Minister and Janata Dal (Secular) president H D Deve Gowda condemned the ongoing violence in the state and said the current spate of violence against Christian clergy, religious institutions including churches and service organisations such as orphanages "is part and parcel of the Sangh Parivar's larger conspiracy to turn state after state into Hindutva laboratory."

"I am deeply distressed to learn about the ongoing violence specifically targeting Christians in the wake of the dastardly killing of VHP leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati by Maoists," Gowda stated.

The Vatican yesterday condemned the violence, calling upon Indian religious and civil authorities "to work together to restore peaceful co–existence and harmony between the different religious communities."

Laxmanananda Saraswati, who led a campaign against religious conversion in the region, was killed with four others Saturday evening after suspected Maoist rebels opened fire on them at their ashram in Kandhamal district, the police said.

Hindu activists have dismissed the police claim saying local Christians were behind the attack. Christian organizations have denied the allegations.

In solidarity with the victims of Orissa, Christians in the capital are sitting on a dharna in front of Sacred Heart Cathedral since yesterday.

Tomorrow 29th August at 10.00 am Christians from all denominations will be gathering at the Orissa Bhavan for a protest dharna.