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Christian leaders say displaced Christians in Orissa are being treated 'like animals', even in the government-run camps set up to care for them.

Sanitation and hygiene are 'virtually non-existent' in the camps and some reports say Christians there are not being allowed to pray. Several hundred Christians are believed to have left the camps and fled to neighbouring states – with absolutely nothing.

Meanwhile, the Hindu radicals who have been attacking Christians in Orissa since late-August are beginning to take over land and property destroyed in the onslaught. They are reportedly clearing land where once church and Christian homes stood and removing demarcation lines in Christian-owned farmland. Orissa state authorities have said they will not pay out compensation for destroyed churches.

And the attacks on Christians continue – and not just in Orissa. Three Christians at a three-day prayer meeting in Dumarbhavna, Chhattisgarh state, were seized from their beds, driven to a remote area and badly beaten. When the trio reported the incident to the police, they were arrested, charged with 'forced conversion' and detained in a local jail.

And in Uttar Pradesh, a 300-strong mob attacked a missionary, his wife and two students as they prayed on October 5. In Kandhamal, Orissa, arson attacks on Christian homes were still being reported at the time of writing.
Hindu extremists have been targeting Christians since the murder of one of their spiritual leaders on August 23 – even though Maoists have admitted responsibility for the death.

(Sources: AsiaNews, Assist News Service, Compass Direct, Global Council of Indian Christians)

Pray that the Indian authorities will do more to protect the Christian community.

Continue to ask God to build up His church in India, strengthening believers' faith.

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