PM calls Orissa violence a "shame", offers help

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called the Orissa violence a "shame" and said his government would offer any help to stop atrocities against Christians in the state.

Meeting a Christian delegation led by the Catholic Bishop's Conference of India, the PM on Thursday said, he would speak to the chief minister of Orissa and the governor for its support to the victims of the violence.

CBCI spokesperson Rev Babu Joseph said, the PM wants the “violence controlled and peace restored.” The delegation apart from appraising the increased violence also demanded a law on the lines of the SC and ST atrocities act to protect minorities from harassment.

They also asked for a CBI probe into the murder of Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati, which provoked the week long violence against Christians that has left them voiceless.

In a memorandum to the PM, CBCI said:

"We are pained and shocked at the merciless killings and unabated violence against the Christians all over the State of Orissa. While the Christian leaders have condemned the heinous crime perpetrated on Swami and his associates in the Ashram at Kandhamal District, Orissa, the killings of and atrocities against Christians are the evil designs of the fanatic fundamentalists.

"They are still continuing the violence and the State Government have failed to protect the Christians and other innocent people."

Over 20 people have been reported killed in the violence which continues for the fifth day. The PM has allocated a compensation of Rs 3 lakh for the families of those killed.