Community To Observe Friday As Shut Down, 15 Killed Communal Violence In India

Thursday, August 28, 2008 at 6:50 pm under Business News, World News Community To Observe Friday As Shut Down, 15 Killed Communal Violence In India

NEW DELHI:Communal violence against Christian community continued in Kandhamal area of Indian state of Orissa on Thursday where Hindu extremists attacked churches, prayer halls and properties of Christians where at least fifteen persons have killed so far.

The Christians organizations have called for national shut down of educational institutions. The District Collector admitted on Thursday violence continued in remote areas of the communally sensitive district while Wednesday was the worst day for Christians in Kandhamal.

Media reports said Hindu extremists have been attacking Christian areas including their churches, prayer halls and houses for the last five days where the authorities have issued shoot-at sight to prevent communal violence.

Even an orphan house run by Missionary was also burnt down where two ladies were killed. Despite shoot-at sight order by the administration, violence continued in remote areas of Tikabali, G Udaygiri and other areas of the state on Thursday.

A senior police officer claimed there has been ’substantial improvement’ in the situation though some violence was reported from Kotgad area.

However, the authorities are gathering details about the incidents.

Kandhamal area of Orissa state was the main center of communal violence. However, it spread to Sundergarh, Rayagada, Gajapati and Bolangir districts.

The violence started following killing of Hindu leader Saraswati on the night of August 23. Since then the unabated violence continued in Orissa state. Prominent Christian organisations and leaders said that at least 15 persons, including one in Bargarh district, were killed in the violence.

To prevent the attacks on Christian community shoot-at-sight was ordered in places like Phulbani, Baliguda, Tumudibandh, Raikia, Nuagaon, G Udaygiri, Tikabali and Sankarakhol, a senior official said in Bhubaneswar, capital of the Orissa state. Last year in December, this region had witnessed the communal violence against Christian community. Raikia area, which remained unaffected during the last riots, was hit this time with largescale violence, a senior official said.

Kandhamal, the worst hit area has been declared as ‘no entry zone’ to prevent outside elements from entering the district. Meanwhile, the organizations of Christian Community in India have condemned the violence against their community and demanded a probe by the Central Bureau of Intelligence into the all events since the killing of Saraswati.

They have also demanded arrest of culprits and trial by a special court. Additional forces have been sent to the violence affected areas. Meanwhile, Christian organizations have called for national shut-down of educational institutions on Friday.

All India Christian Council in a press release condemning the attacks on Christians said violent attacks against Christians in the eastern state of Orissa continued 5th day.

“Some people have called the violence Hindu-Christian clashes. But this is not accurate. Innocent Christians? mostly of Dalit origin? continue to be attacked by communal organizations which are mocking the rule of law. Governance in Orissa state appears to have disintegrated? Press release quoting Dr. Joseph D? souza, President of the All India Christian Council said.

It said “we call for all church and Christian educational institutions of Catholic, Protestant, Independent, and unaffiliated Christian denominations in the service of society to close for one day.

“The Council is supporting the call from church networks — including the Catholic Bishops? Conference of India, the Evangelical Fellowship of India, and the National Council of Churches in India — to close Christian schools on Friday. A letter issued by the organizations of Christian community said ?communal organizations have taken the law into their hands in 12 districts of Orissa and are going about targeting not only institutions but also persons. What is at stake is not only the freedom of conscience of a minority community but India’s secular democracy, its commitment to human rights and constitutional guarantees.

It said the destructive and divisive communal forces have to be stopped. We want this message to go across to our fellow countrymen and that is why we are closing our educational institutions on Friday in deep sorrow and anguish.