Release International

Officials in Orissa are forcing Christians in relief camps to return to their villages – without doing anything to repair their homes or protect them from further attacks.

Jankalyan Samaj (People's Welfare Society), a local Christian organisation in Kandhamal district, claims that Christians are afraid to return home due to continued threats from Hindu extremists. But, despite these fears, the authorities are turning people out of the relief camps which have been their home since violence first erupted in late-August.

Two Christian women were murdered when they ventured out of their refugee camps in Kandhamal to try to harvest rice on their land. Lalita Digal was dragged out a friend's house in Dodabali village and killed. Bimala Nayak was murdered with axes near Gubria.

In Tiangia village, on November 25, extremists set light to two Christian homes – and the house of a Hindu who had Christian friends. Just hours before, district authorities had visited Tiangia villagers and guaranteed refugees' safe return. Staying in the relief camps is not a safe option either: most camps lack basic amenities including safe drinking water.

The anti-Christian violence began in August after a Hindu extremist leader was murdered in Kandhamal. Church leaders are now calling for a ban on a proposed bandh (strike) which Hindus have threatened to hold on Christmas Day unless those responsible for their leader's murder are arrested. Christians believe the strike could unleash more unrest.

(Sources: AsiaNews, Christian Post, Evangelical Fellowship of India, The Telegraph [India], UCAN)

Pray for an end to anti-Christian violence in Orissa and other Indian states.

Pray for Christians facing an uncertain future back in their villages.

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