Orissa violence: Indefinite hunger strike for justice on March 18

Discouraged by the inaction of the Orissa state administration and the human rights violation that goes unnoticed against Christians in Orissa, Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) prepares for an indefinite hunger strike at Parliament street, New Delhi from 18th March 2008.

GCIC demanded, the Prime Minister to dismiss the Orissa Government for its failure to protect minorities and to institute a CBI enquiry into the Christmas week violence against Christians.

Some of the other enumerated demands include, "Stop the continued persecution of Christians by the police specially the relief camps in Kandhamal, allow NGOs and civil society groups to provide relief services to the inmates of the refugee camps, ensure immediate rehabilitation and protection of lands and livelihoods of the displaced victims, repeal all anti–conversion laws targeting Christians and to restore freedom of religion in Orissa."

GCIC accused the Orissa state administration for not being able to control the violence nor provide enhanced security to the Christians.

More than twenty Dalit families belonging to the Kambarkia and Sikati village under Sudra gram panchayat have continuously been seeking the help of the district administration after receiving repeated threats by a VHP leader ever since the violence rocked the district in December 2007.

"These frightened people are now seeking help and assistance of the administration. They have sought security and protection to their life and property," said GCIC.

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. The Kandhamal district has 600,000 people of which 150,000 are Christians.