NEWS ALERT: Christian Girls Missing In Orissa After Deadly Violence

31st December 2007

Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Sunday, December 30, told a delegation of church leaders that the government "would take steps to provide full security" to the community, and "protect the religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution to all citizens." There were reports Monday, December 31, that at least some of the estimated 1000 Christians hiding in jungles, including clergy, women and children, returned to their homes, or what was left of them.

"Some priests are just back from their hiding places," confirmed a Catholic priest at Balliguda area in comments obtained by BosNewsLife. "They are really tired and have left everything in the hands of God. They stayed for few days in the jungle, but people all Hindus, Christians and Muslims took care of them." When they came back, they found nothing was left in their churches or convents, he said. "Everything is burned. Whatever was left they carried away…
So hopeless is the situation."

At least 400 Christian homes and 60 churches were torched by angry Hindu mobs since they began their attacks Monday, December 24, in the Kandhamal district, 336 kilometers (210 miles) southwest of Orissa’s capital Bhubaneswar, said the All India Christian Council (AICC), a major advocacy group. Hundreds of people were believed to have been injured and up to nine Christians killed, although church officials said not all bodies have been recovered yet.

GIRLS MISSING

And, with Hindu extremists still roaming the streets in some areas, there was concern Monday, December 31, about the whereabouts of seven Christian girls, a local government official said. A boarding school informed police about the missing ninth grade students on Saturday, said
Satyenbrata Sahu, a divisional commissioner.

However, "We suspect they have run away out of fear," he told The Associated Press (AP) news agency, adding police were searching for the girls whose names and ages were not released. The violence has been linked to nationalist Hindu groups opposing the spread of Christianity and what they see as "forced conversions."

Eyewitnesses spoke to BosNewsLife about a scene of devastation. In Barokhoma village all Christian homes are burned and in another village Hindu extremists forced Christians to say, "We became Hindu,” and gave them a paper to sign the conversion, a nun said in comments obtained by BosNewsLife on condition of anonymity.

"Apparently the media hasn’t really got even the tip of the iceberg. I also heard that nuns of two convents were stripped [naked] and paraded in the market too. Only God can intervene
and stop [this]. Let us continue to pray," she said.

RESIDENCE DESTROYED

Another eyewitness said, "I just talked with my second sister who is staying…in Kandhamal district…The Catholic priest’s residence has been destroyed, trees cut and burned. Statues of Jesus and Virgin Mary are broken into pieces and the alter is fully destroyed…" The Hindu mob "went to attack priest. They opened doors and broke windows. Before they could attack the priest with a knife. He managed to escape shouting "bring the gun," before the [Hindu mob] fled away."

Despite the apparent misery, some Christians refuse to leave the region, a nun who is now working in Calcutta told BosNewsLife. Speaking over the telephone to her father in a village in Kandhamal District she apparently asked him: “Papa you go from there and come back after a few days.” She said he answered: "Where and why? If for faith they will kill us let them, and you should be happy for it."

Meanwhile on Monday, December 31, a nation-wide prayer for Orissa Christians continued, said priest Alex Ekka from Bihar state who is involved in organizing the event. "Today, during the Mass we had special prayers for the suffering and affected people of Orissa. It will continue for a week," he told BosNewsLife.

Earlier Sunday, December 30, Christians from all over India gathered in the nation’s capital, New Delhi, and surroundings areas to staged a peace march, burning candles and protesting the Christmas week attacks on Christians in Orissa and demanding compensation for the victims. Over 4000 people participated in the march, that brought traffic on several major roads of New Delhi briefly to a halt, witnesses said.

MORE VIOLENCE

Isolated incidents of anti-Christian violence have also been reported elsewhere in India, including in the southern state of Karnataka, where a Hindu mob reportedly attacked a group of Christians practicing Christmas songs in a prayer hall in the port city of Mangalore on December 23. Some 50 children along with four teachers were rehearsing songs for Christmas celebrations when around 25 men barged into the prayer hall and attacked the group, according to a delayed report reaching church leaders.

Three persons were seriously injured and admitted to hospital for treatment after 30 choir members, including children, were "beaten up badly," church officials said. The prayer hall belongs to the evangelical End Time Full Gospel Church. There were reportedly about 250 people in the hall when the incident took place. The extremists allegedly also damaged tube-lights, fans and furniture in the hall.

Police and local officials visiting the area told Christians that suspects would be detained soon. Donald Menezes, the president of Karnataka Missions Network to which the Christian congregation belongs told reporters that "stern action" must be taken against the extremists. He denied his group was involved in forced conversions. Police security has been beefed up in the area, news reports said.

Christians comprise less than three percent of India’s mainly Hindu population of 1.1 billion people, and Hindu groups have made clear they want to ensure that Christians remain a minority in the country. (Stay with BosNewsLife for continues coverage on the Crisis in Orissa).

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BREAKING NEWS: India Christians Hiding In Orissa Jungles As Violence Continues (BosNewsLife In-Depth)