Situation grim in Kandhamal: Sister Nirmala

Sister Nirmala, Superior–General of the Missionaries of Charity and successor of Mother Teresa, met with Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and stressed for strong action by the government to restore peace in Kandhamal district.

"The situation is not good at all, but the state government has started taking strong measures," Sister Nirmala told reporters after meeting the CM.

Sister Nirmala further urged the concerned authorities to protect the Christians in relief camps, as many are terrified to return to their villages.

"I have talked to the Chief Minister about it. He knows and they will take the steps. They cannot go back now unless things are settled for them. Things have to be controlled. That's their responsibility," she said.

The Chief Minister told reporters after his meeting with Sister Nirmala today that his government is making efforts to restore law and order in the violence hit areas of the state.

I had a discussion with Sister Nirmala and explained to her all the efforts we have been making to bring peace and normalcy back to Kandhamal district. And I spoke in detail of the steps of the government is taking to see the law and order situation is maintained and that peace and calm is restored in the district, said Patnaik.

The head of the Catholic religious order earlier in a letter to the CM lamented, "On behalf of our suffering brothers and sisters in Orissa who are in deep anguish, pain and constant insecurity, deprived of basic necessities of life and are crying out for immediate help, I urgently appeal to you in the name of God as the Chief Minister of Orissa to do all you can to put an end to this ongoing violence since 24th August 2008 causing untold terror, loss of property and even loss of life and human dignity, violating basic human rights of our own brothers and sisters.”

She narrated, in great anguish, how a young nun was “hunted out of her hiding place and stripped naked by the mob and her virginity grossly violated in public, without any help from the police present there.”

The Crime Branch of the State police have arrested the main accused in the nun rape case taking the number of arrests in the case to five. More arrests were expected soon, according to Director–General of Police Manmohan Praharaj.

Violence in Orissa was sparked by the murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four other aides. Although Maoists claimed responsibility, the Bajrang Dal and other Hindu outfits blamed Christians for the slaying.

The incident fuelled large–scale attack on churches, Christians and their homes.

Official reports claimed at least 50 dead and over 12,000 still hiding in forests. Police have so far arrested about 1,000 people, mostly Hindus, in connection with the attacks.