A Catholic chapel in Dengasorgi village in Odisha’s Rayagada district was broken into, ransacked, and had its sacred items burned by a group of tribal Hindu villagers on the evening of March 3, triggering tension in the area and drawing police intervention.
St. Paula Montal Chapel, a small mission station built in 2023 to serve three Catholic families in the village of roughly 70 households, bore the brunt of the attack. Fr. Abed Kumar Khura, parish priest of the cathedral parish in Rayagada, said a large group gathered around 7 p.m. and demanded the three Catholic families step out of their homes.
“The families were frightened and remained inside, fearing they would be assaulted,” Fr. Khura said.
When the families refused to come out, the mob turned toward the chapel. “At around 9 p.m., the mob broke open the church door and entered the building. They damaged the altar and the cross and collected sacred articles including the priest’s vestments, Bibles and other religious items. These were taken outside and set on fire,” Fr. Khura told media.
The attack destroyed three statues, a crucifix, liturgical items, chairs, the Stations of the Cross, a cabinet, electrical fittings, plumbing fixtures, the borewell system, and the dome of the building. Crux Now estimated damages at Rs. 8.5 lakh, a significant sum for families who work as daily wage labourers on local farms.
Bishop Aplinar Senapati of the Diocese of Rayagada said the incident was unprecedented for the diocese. “For the Catholic Church, this is the first time something like this has happened in the diocese,” he told Crux Now. He had himself visited Dengasorgi just days before the attack, on February 28, for a celebration. At the time, he said, the village appeared calm.
The bishop told Crux Now the trigger may have been a vehicle passing near a sacred tribal site during the silver jubilee celebrations of the PARIST Sisters in the mission area. The vehicle reportedly used the village street, which some residents had objected to.
Acting on the bishop’s advice, the affected families filed a First Information Report at JK Pur Police Station on March 4. A police team then accompanied church representatives to the village. “When we reached the village, most of the accused were not present,” Fr. Khura said.
A senior officer representing the district Superintendent of Police later arrived to supervise the inquiry. Police deployed a platoon to maintain order and summoned both parties to Therubali Police Station. Around 180 villagers eventually appeared. During proceedings, six individuals believed to be associated with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh were also present, as was a man in saffron robes, whom police reportedly prevented from intervening.
Villagers raised two disputes during the inquiry: objections to Christian vehicles using the village street, and a claim that the land on which the chapel stands was inherited property whose other heirs had not been consulted. The senior officer cautioned against vigilantism. “Even if there is anger or disagreement, violence cannot be justified. Such matters must be addressed through legal channels,” he said.
A temporary peace understanding was reached, with authorities assuring protection for the Catholic families, continued police presence, and permission for Christians to worship. Vehicle movement through the village street was temporarily restricted.
The bishop, however, remains wary. Immediate arrests, he told Crux Now, could endanger the Christian families still living in the village. “If the alleged perpetrators were taken to the police station and kept in custody, these Christian families might have their houses burnt or be chased away from the village.”
Fr. Khura acknowledged that the families remain shaken. “They are under fear and anxiety,” he said.
The investigation is ongoing as per reports.
