Christians still hiding in forests fearing being attacked: Kandhamal

As the Orissa state is gripped by an intense cold wave, the revelation of more Christians hiding in forests has shocked Church leaders in the country.

In spite of the presence of thousands of Para-military forces in the state, hundreds of people terrorized by violence, are hiding in forests, this includes Hindus, sources said.

"Hundreds of tribals haven't returned home after the riots," district collector Krishan Kumar told IANS.

"The tribals had recently visited their villages but fled to the forest again. We are trying to reach them," Kumar said.

Although there have been no reports of violence, still over 8,000 Christians are living in state-run relief camps and many of them reluctant to return home fearing being attacked.

Says Sajan K. George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, "Some 15,000 Christians are living outside Kandhamal and are scared of returning home because many of the rioters are still at large and the police are not arresting them."

Bishop DK Sahu, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in India told Christian Today, "During this time of winter, the fact that Christians are still hiding in forests is really shocking to us. We urge the govt and Church relief agencies to do everything possible to provide them with shelter, and protection."

Meanwhile, Hindu groups claim, hundreds of its members are hiding in forests fearing police action against them.

Hindus hiding in the forest, says Krisan, "is due to fear of police action."

Ashok Sahu, a Hindu leader says some 12,000 Hindus are hiding in forests for fear of the police. That is because some 100,000 of Kandhamal's nearly 600,000 residents have been charged with rioting, he said.

According to official reports, 10,000 people have been named in 746 cases lodged during the August Kandhamal violence.

The violence that was sparked by the murder of a local VHP leader, damaged 252 prayer halls, burnt 4,215 houses, killed over a hundred and forced thousands to flee to forests.