Church delegation visits Kandhamal in Orissa

Church leaders attending a dalit-tribal interface in Orissa last week visited Kandhamal and interacted with the victims of the 2008 violence in an effort to boost peace and stability in the region.

Expressing shock at the continuing victimisation of the survivors even two years after the violence, church and the civil society groups denounced the complicity of the government and pledged to work for healing and reconciliation.

"Our visit to Kandhamal and the interaction with the communities overwhelmed us with the pain and the plight that the survivors still have to endure with continued threat to their life," they expressed.

"We are shocked at the present and continuing victimisation of the survivors of the Kandhamal persecution, three years after the attacks, the scale of deprivation and the depth of institutionalised hostility to their rehabilitation."

The visit was part of the dalit-tribal interface organised by the Council for World Mission in partnership with the National Council of Churches in India and the Presbyterian Church.

"We realise that peace is not possible without justice, and justice is not possible where impunity reigns and crime rewarded. It is the primary responsibility of the state to protect, promote and secure human rights and dignity," they said.

They urged the state government to initiate confidence building processes by rebuilding homes and places of worship and providing security to freely live and practice a religion of one's choice.

Commenting on the visit, Rev. Bijay Kumar Nayak, Bishop of Phulbani Diocese, said the interaction was unique as it was the "first time church leaders from different parts of India and from various church denominations and international bodies listened and interacted with the victims of the Kandhamal violence."

The interaction also included the family of Saul Pradhan, a lay preacher who was found murdered on January 10, this month.