Dozens Dead in Anti-Christian Violence
Christian World News
August 27, 2008
The number of people confirmed dead has risen to 21 on the fourth day of ongoing violence in Kandhamal district and other parts of Orissa. The Global Council of Indian Christians reported that more than 114 anti-Christian attacks have taken place in various parts of the state.
"The worst hit are the people in Kandhamal district, where more than 400 churches, more than 500 houses and many Christian institutions have been demolished," GCIC President Dr. Sajan K. George said in a memorandum to the state governor. "The people have fled to jungles for safety."
The state administration, however, claimed far fewer casualties. "Only seven bodies have been recovered thus far," Deputy Inspector General of Police R.P. Koche told Compass.
. The IANS news agency said that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik informed the state assembly today that different police stations had registered a total of at least 70 cases and arrested 54 people in connection with attacks. According to The Hindu newspaper, Patnaik claimed that violence was under control. The Rt. Rev. Sunil K. Singh, bishop of the Church of North India, told Compass, "The situation in Orissa is far too worrisome and delicate. There has been a total break down of law and order resulting from barbaric communal attacks by anti Christian elements on innocent and peace loving Christians, their priests, nuns, religious workers, their churches and organizations."
The National Commission for Minorities called for "immediate" intervention of the federal government on the "outrageous communal violence in Orissa."
"Reports of violence against a minority community are outrageous," IANS quoted NCM Chairperson Mohammad Shafi Qureshi as saying. "Efforts must be made to rein in violence, and the must intervene effectively to restore peace in the state."
According to a report by Christian Legal Association, the Orissa High Court today passed an order asking the state government to deploy army personnel to ensure that victims are given compensation and are properly rehabilitated.
The court order came in response to a public interest litigation filed by attorney Collin Gonsalves of the Human Rights Law Network, a non-profit organization, on behalf of local Christians.
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A bench comprising Chief Justice B S Chauhan and Justice B N Mohapatra gave the directive to restore peace and normalcy in the district, where violence erupted after the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati.
"Take measures to restore peace in the area immediately by deploying adequate forces," the bench observed on Wednesday while adjudicating a PIL filed by Ambedkar-Lohia Vichar Manch chief Sangram
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No-Confidence Motion In view of the uncontrolled violence, the state legislative assembly yesterday accepted a no-confidence motion by the opposition Congress Party against the ruling coalition of the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party and the Biju Janata Dal party, a regional party that claims to be secular.
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The Business Standard Reports:
Almost the entire Kandhamal district was placed under indefinite curfew today.
Many homes and prayer houses were reportedly damaged in Raikia, G Udayagiri, Phulabani, Chakapada, Tumudibandh and Baliguda areas despite the prohibitory order and the presence of a thick blanket of security persons.
“Tension continues in several areas and we have mobilised additional forces to maintain law and order,” said Satyabrata Sahu, revenue divisional commissioner of the southern division. He did not confirm the number of casualties.
Sahu has been in the district since the escalation of violence following the killing of the Swami and his four followers at Jalespeta ashram near Tumudibandha.
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Acooring the The Hindu, the Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil said that no political party or group should be accused without proper evidence. Proof needed to fix responsibility for Orissa violence.
"Who has actually done it (killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati or indulging in violence that followed) we have to find out. Some people say this party or this section of society having this kind of ideology has done it... Let it be decided," Patil told news channel Times Now.
"I have been in contact with the chief minister (of Orissa) and I have told him that the incident in which the Swami was killed has to be condemned. But it should not cause damage to others and it is the responsibility of the state government and all of us that different sections of society should not be attacked," Patil said.
Patil agreed that initial reports suggested involvement of Naxals in the killing of Saraswati but said, "Unless and until it is proved who has done it, acting against some section of society is wrong."
Saraswati, a VHP activist, had been active in the area for the last four decades.
The Home Minister informed that 20 companies of paramilitary and helicopters have been provided to Orissa to deal with the violence that continues to rock the state. Minister of State for Home Sri Prakash Jaiswal is visiting the state to take stock of the situation.
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Christian organisations Wednesday filed a writ petition in the Orissa High Court seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the murder of a Hindu leader last week and subsequent communal violence in the state. ”We have filed a writ petition seeking direction from the court for a CBI inquiry into the heinous murder of Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati and his associates and subsequent violence,” said Swarupananda Patro, leader of the Orissa Minority Forum and the All Orissa Baptist Churches Federation.
Times of India Reports:
Violence also spread to new areas with an angry mob setting ablaze a church and a missionary hostel at Manhira village in Loisingha area of Bolangir district. Communal clashes were also reported from Gajapati, Sundergarh and Rayagada districts, prompting the administration to hold flag march, organize peace meets at different places including Kandhmal and start relief camps.
Union minister of state for home Sriprakash Jaiswal took stock of the situation and rapped the Naveen Patnaik-led Orissa government for inept handling of the situation. "Based on the reports made available to us, I can say the situation isn’t under control. But the CM has assured to bring it under control," Jaiswal told reporters in Bhubaneswar. "Had proper steps been taken, the situation would have been under control. The priority is to stop violence. Hopefully, the state government will successfully manage the situation within 48 hours," he added.
With the situation remaining highly volatile across Kandhmal and people in large numbers escaping to the safety of forests, the administration extended curfew from seven to nine towns and sought immediate deployment of additional forces to curb violence. DGP G C Nanda said the Centre was rushing in 11 more companies of CRPF and three additional companies of RAF. "The situation, though tense, is under control. There have been sporadic incidents, but the administration is alert," the DGP said.
Frenzied mobs continued to run amok, setting a large number of houses in different parts of the southern Orissa district on fire. They also damaged more churches and prayer halls. What have left the administration worried are reports of retaliatory action by Christians, leading to clashes at some places. The CM told the assembly, "Gayadhar Digal of Kasiapadar village in Phiringia was killed on Wednesday morning. So far 54 people have been arrested and 70 criminal cases filed in connection with the communal carnage.
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