Christians forced to flee after attacks in India

Nuns listen to a speech by a Christian leader in the eastern Indian city of Kolkata August 29, 2008 [REUTERS/JAYANTA SHAW, courtesy www.alertnet.org]

The CIDSE network, of which CAFOD is a member, is calling for “immediate action” to end ongoing violence in Orissa, eastern India

Violence broke out following the killing of a prominent Hindu leader and four of his followers in the district of Kandhamal, on August 22.

Although the murders were claimed by the Naxalites - a Maoist group - Hindu groups have accused Christians of being behind the attacks.

Since the killings, a further 20 people to date have died in violent attacks according to official sources, and up to 10,000 believed to have fled their homes to refugee camps.

Under threat

CIDSE, a network of Catholic development agencies, is supporting local partners based in Orissa –where Christians make up 2.5 per cent of the Hindu majority population.

Bernd Nilles, CIDSE Secretary-General says: “India is known for the peaceful cohabitation of different religions and religious communities.

“We are deeply concerned that this peace is under threat. Immediate reaction by the international community and immediate action by the Indian government are the only ways to bring back peace, law and order.”

Thousands have fled

One CIDSE partner, who works in Kandhamal, says its office was burned to the ground, and that some of its staff are still in hiding.

A staff member reports: “It is difficult to get a true picture of the devastation as all access to affected areas has been blocked, and a curfew is now in place.

“Almost 4,000 homes, mostly owned by Christians, have been destroyed, at least 45 churches damaged or destroyed, and thousands of people fled to the forests for fear of attack.

“Christian-run institutions such as hostels, convents and schools have also been attacked, and very little protection given to the population.”

Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar has also appealed to the Indian Prime Minister to protect the life and rights of Christians.

CIDSE is appealing for

• the central and state governments to provide protection to all the population
• the state to provide basic needs such as food, clean water, medical treatment and shelter to all those affected by the violence
• the EU and its member states to urge the Indian government to guarantee protection of human rights in Orissa
• an immediate investigation into the violence, and for those behind it to be arrested and brought to justice
• the state government to provide compensation to those who lost family members or property

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