23 members of the Digal family killed

Christians are forcibly Reconverted to Hinduism

There is a complete collapse of gov­ernance in Orissa.
The Central Government should act to protect the People, the Church leaders ask.

The Bishop of Phulbani in the Church of North India (CNI), the Rt Revd Bijay Nayak, gave a graphic account of the events in his area by email. He writes: “Situation is very critical. More than 15 people are killed, among them seven are from our church from Barakhama and Udayagiri. Many church buildings are destroyed and still going on. Many many people are in jungle out of fear. Balliguda hostel, Udayagiri boys and girls hostel children were in the jungle last night. Continuously they are de­stroy­ing the people’s houses.

“Mr Mathew Naik is killed at Kritangia village near Raikia. He was boys’ hostel superintendent for many years and at present he was Diocese executive member. They caught and put him in the water and cut into pieces and burnt in front of the Church. They have also targeted the Christian leaders of the district. All the leaders are hiding. I request you with tears kindly organize the prayer for us.”
Rasananda Prad­han, was burnt to death in Kandhamal district. A police camp at Barakhama was attacked, Christians fled into the forest.

A young nun was gang-raped in the Social Service Centre in Kand­hamal before the building was de­stroyed. The Diocesan Pastoral Centre in nearby Kanjimendi was set on fire, and a senior priest and nun were badly injured there. Christian boys have been seized and their heads tonsured. Mobs have attacked the Mother Teresa Brothers’ resid­ence and hospital in Srasanada and beaten up the patients. Houses have been attacked in forest hamlets. Chris­tian schools have been dam­aged or destroyed, and shops looted and burned.

Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) has denounced VHP’s actions as “sickening”. Its advocacy director, Tina Lambert, described Orissa as under mob justice. “The killing of Saraswati is an ominous warning that if justice is not done and seen to be done, the people may take matters into their own hands.”

Dr Joseph D’souza, president of the All-India Christian Council (AICC), said that the government must now act to restore order, pro­tect those who were most vulner­able, and secure rapid convictions of the perpetrators.

The AICC’s secretary general, John Dayal, said: “Today hardliner Hindu nationalists say they cannot control their followers, who are simply unleashing their frustration with unethical missionaries. Police say they cannot put officers in every village to protect Christians. Behind all the excuses, the reality is that there is a complete collapse of gov­ernance in Orissa.

“It is the duty of the President and Prime Minister of India — as well as state governments — to protect the life, liberty, and property of every citizen. We hope and pray they will act before more innocent people are killed.”