Two more Christians succumb to injuries in Orissa

Two more Christians died in refugee camps from injuries caused by the Christmas violence in Kandhamal district, Orissa.

“At least two Christians in a relief camp in Barakhama village have recently succumbed to injuries they received during the violence by Hindutva extremists,” said John Dayal, secretary general of the All India Christian Council (AICC).

Dayal who recently went on a fact–finding for the second time said the visit left him with troubled questions about government treatment towards the Christians and lack of concern for their well being.

Dayal said women, especially pregnant women, are suffering amid dire conditions in the camps that lack even toilets. “They have to suffer the pangs of being a woman in an absolutely undeveloped situation. The women have no gynecological experts available on hand,” he said.

“Why did these men die in the camp, and not in a hospital in Bhubaneswar [the state capital] or the district capital at Phulbani? No one seems to know,” Dayal told Compass News. “Were the bodies examined in a forensic autopsy to find the cause of death? Apparently not. Have people been charged with the murder of these two men? The police and magistracy [senior administrative officials] are not telling.”

The Rev. P.R. Parichha, president of the Orissa chapter of the AICC, confirmed that two Christians had died in the relief camp from their injuries. Parichha said that the toll could rise as a few Christians remained missing. “Most of the missing Christians have returned though,” he added.

Hindu radical organisations, chiefly the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and BJP accused Christian missionaries for implementing forceful conversions and luring gullible Hindus with money and job.

Christians make up approximately 16 percent of the 650,000 people in Kandhamal district. More than 60 percent of the Christians belong to the Pana community.