Orissa: Christians still targeted after attacks

After several months since the Kandhamal Orissa violence, advocacy groups in the country allege that Christians continue to face discrimination and continued threats from Hindu extremists.

The All India Christian Council, last week, asseverated that life has been more difficult for the Christians in Orissa, after the violence last Christmas season killed at least four and burned 730 houses and 95 churches.

“Christians who had started making a life for themselves through running shops and self–employment were particular targets – they are still being socially boycotted,” Dr. John Dayal told Compass. “Even now, many Christian girls cannot go to school for fear of molestation after threats have been issued to Christians.”

Dayal, who personally investigated the situation of Christians in the state said, he was disappointed by the "lethargic and insensitive, almost inhuman, response" of the federal and the state governments in the Kandhamal crisis.

There are also fears that during the monsoon season, the homeless families, which count to more than 400, due to lack of funds to re–build their homes, might be seriously affected.

The AICC report further averred that Christians in three villages near Barakhama – Salagud, Madagudami, and Perbapanga have been barred from collecting firewood or food from the surrounding jungles.

“This means they must travel long distances to buy construction materials” to rebuild their homes destroyed in the attacks, the report states. “Not only do they have to spend more money for travel but also for bricks and other supplies.”

Several victims fearing attacks from the radicals, are still hiding in the jungles, continues the report. Many camped in government relief camps have also been struck by diseases.

About the lack of relief funds and government concern, Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) says, "The monsoon is setting in Kandhamal, Orissa, and still up to four hundred families are without a roof over their head."

"With the government compensation, the riot victims will have half built houses when the rains come."

GCIC even accused the police of being "perversely bigoted." It alleged that the Brahminigaon and Kandhamal police were trying to prove a link between the banned naxalite groups and Christians.

The police on implicated or fabricated charges also have arrested several Christians, last month, it added. "Many reports still remain to be filed in the police stations for want of legal adequate legal aid."
According to the advocacy group based in Bangalore, the Sangh Parivar and Hindu political forces are preparing for more violence in other areas of Orissa and Jharkhand.

In the month of April, when the National Minorities Commission for a second time investigated the situation in Orissa, it said, the Christians are still facing social and economic boycott.