Nearly 700 Christians move to relief camps to avoid attacks

Over 700 Christians fearing attack by Hindu extremist groups have taken shelter in government run relief camps, latest update on the Hindu–Christian violence in Orissa.

Authorities were providing food, medicine and security to Christians who moved into the four relief camps on Friday in the rural district of Kandhamal in eastern Orissa state, said Pradeep Kapoor, the inspector–general of police.

Kapoor said, "Nearly 800 police and paramilitary forces were trying to restore calm.”

“No fresh incidents of violence were reported Saturday for a second day in Kandhamal, nearly 200 kilometers (125 miles) west of Bhubaneshwar, the capital of Orissa state."

Meanwhile, the state government has transferred the top district administrator, Bhabagrahi Mohapatra, for failing to stop the violence.

According to a national fact finding team of six led by Dr. John Dayal, Secretary General of All India Christian Council, Member of National Integration Council and President of All India Catholic Union, close to 60 churches have been damaged and desecrated.

“Young and healthy Christians have left their villages to flee for their lives, children, women, old and sick, who could not flee for their lives, are in great danger,” says Dr. Dayal.

“Those who are left have been starving for last four days, and the sick are suffering without medical attention.”

A victim told the team, “They are forced to convert to Hinduism if they are to get food, medical attention and shelter.”

“The fundamental rights provided by Indian Constitution to provide security protection has failed to reach the minority Christians in the state of Orissa,” says, Dr. Dayal.

A Memorandum has been submitted to Justice Shri Rajendra Babu, Chairman of National Human Rights Commission and Christian delegation will meet him on December 31, 2007 at 12:30 noon, to setup a special enquiry into the violence.

Bangalore based Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) on Sunday appealed to Puri Shankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati to call upon the people in Orissa to restore peace in riot–torn Kandhamal district.

GCIC said, "We draw attention of his highness Shankaracharya of Govardhan peeth towards the Kandhamal incident. The Christians are sure that Shankaracharyaji will rise up to the occasion and ask his fellowmen to shun violence."