Release International

A church-run orphanage in Orissa was destroyed by fire when Hindu militants attacked the home for the second time in seven months.

A fire started during the night of March 20 completely gutted the orphanage in Padampur, Bargarh district, although no one was hurt. However, last August, 20-year-old teacher Rajni Majhi was burned alive as she tried to protect children from Hindu militants trying to torch the orphanage (7x7, September 30, 2008).

The orphanage's director Edward Sequeira is determined to continue his ministry in Padampur to poor Dalits or 'untouchables', who fall outside the caste system.

'In spite of the climate of intimidation, we have to breathe life of hope into these people,' says Edward. 'The cross is always present in the life of a Christian.'

The incident has renewed fears that Hindu extremists are still active in Orissa, the epicentre of anti-Christian violence which swept through several Indian states last year.

Hindu militants went on the rampage in August after one of their spiritual leaders was murdered in Kandhamal district. Maoist rebels later claimed responsibility for his death. The murder last month of another Hindu leader has reignited fears of a backlash against Christians, even though Maoists are believed to have been behind this latest killing also.

(Sources: AsiaNews; Christian Today, The Voice of the Martyrs Canada)

• Pray for all the children and staff at Edward Sequeira's orphanage in Padampur.
• Pray that lasting peace will be restored in Orissa.

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