India: 56 killed in Orissa riots
Sep 16 2008
Postings >> India

At least 56 people have been killed and tens of thousands forced to flee their homes as the 'worst ever riots against Christians' rock the state of Orissa.

Anti-Christian violence erupted across at least 12 districts after the murder of a Hindu militant leader and four of his disciples on August 23. His followers blamed Christians – even after Maoists admitted responsibility for the attack.

In what some observers are calling a spate of 'ethnic cleansing', Hindu militants are attacking Christians and burning their homes, businesses, schools, churches, even their orphanages. In Bargarh district, a young woman was burned alive as she tried to protect children from militants torching their orphanage. The Compass Direct news agency reports that Christians are being forcibly ‘reconverted’ to Hinduism under threat of violence.

Estimates suggest up to 50,000 people are hiding in forests and some 20,000 people have fled to 10 government relief camps. Some reports claim that militants are trying to poison the water at these camps. The Global Council of Indian Christians has recorded 'at least 56 deaths' but expects the toll to rise in what it calls the ‘worst ever’ attacks on Christians.

Worst hit is Kandhamal, where Hindu extremist leader Laxmanananda Saraswati was murdered by gunmen last month. More than 400 churches and 500 homes were destroyed in Kandhamal alone in the first four days of violence. Latest reports suggest the violence is spreading to other states: a church was burned down in Madhya Pradesh and extremists attacked nuns in Chhattisgarh, seizing four babies in their care.

Amid reports of police inaction, angry judges at India’s Supreme Court ordered Orissa’s chief secretary to sign an affidavit promising to 'take all steps to protect life and property'. Church leaders have met with India's president to discuss the crisis.

A spokesman for Saraswati’s group alleged that Christians murdered him in revenge for anti-Christian attacks in Kandhamal in December 2007 which Saraswati reportedly incited.

(Sources: Compass Direct, Jubilee Campaign USA, The Voice of the Martyrs [VOM] Canada, The Global Council of Indian Christians, World Council of Churches)

Pray for an end to the violence and for the return of law and order across India.

Ask God to bless and comfort His church in India.