Still no justice for Christian victims of 2008 Orissa violence

One of many churches destroyed during
the 2008 Orissa attacks.

Almost three years after radical Hindus brutally attacked Christians in Kandhamal, Orissa state, trials are marred by all sorts of irregularities, reported AsiaNews.

Out of 3,232 criminal cases filed, only 828 complaints were actually converted into First Information Reports. Of these, only 327 went before a judge ending in 167 acquittals and 86 convictions on minor charges. Another 90 cases are still pending.

According to official figures, 1,597 suspects have been acquitted, a number that does not include the thousands who could not be arrested and tried.

On August 24, 2008, radical Hindus began attacking Christians, one day after the assassination of the World Hindu Council leader, despite a Maoist group’s claims of responsibility.

Half of Orissa’s 30 districts were involved. Six thousand houses were burnt in 400 villages. About 296 churches were also torched. Over 56,000 people were displaced, with about 30,000 living from three months to a year in government-refugee camps. Over 20,000 men, women and children have spent days hiding in forests. Over 10,000 are yet to return home. Many have been warned or threatened by their neighbours that they can return home only if they become Hindus.

AsiaNews reported that Christian victims are subject to abuses even after complaints reach the courts. Victims’ lawyers have no role in court other than feebly protesting from time to time to the judges. Threats are openly proffered in the courtroom against relatives of the dead and eyewitness. Video footage and photos by taken mobile phones have not been examined either during the investigation phase or during the trial itself. Neither the Directorate of Prosecutions nor the police have tried to pursue or upgrade certain cases.

The government of Orissa has acknowledged and admitted to 52 deaths in Kandhamal during the violence of 2007 and 2008, including 38 Christians.

Christian sources reported 91 people died during the pogrom, 38 died where they were attacked, 41 succumbed to their injuries, and 12 died in police action. These numbers do not include the cases of suicide and deaths caused by post-traumatic syndrome among the very young and the very old who witnessed the violence close-up and then spent long periods in refugee camps or slums.

Please continue to pray for Christians in Orissa state and throughout all of India.

Orissa Christians acquitted!

Christians in India continue to
suffer persecution. Please pray!

On April 18, six Christians were acquitted of false accusations of arson, ending more than two and a half years of litigation, reported All India Christian Council.

The six men, Christians from a tribal background, were accused of burning down Hindu homes in Gajapati District, Odisha (formerly Orissa state), on October 20, 2008. Ironically, all of them lost their homes in the unprecedented anti-Christian riots of August 2008.

The Christians were charged under sections 147, 148, 452, 436, 506 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code.

Lawyers immediately appealed to the district court for anticipatory bail to prevent the arrest of the men who, as daily labourers, were the main source of income for their families. The district court rejected the request, and lawyers appealed to the Orissa High Court in 2010. The men went into hiding until the High Court granted their request, and then they immediately surrendered and were granted bail.

The Gajapati District sessions court began the trial in January 2011 and acquitted the men of all charges due to lack of sufficient evidence.

Praise the Lord!

Listen to kids at Sideras Children’s Home in India sing unto the Lord!

In spite of all they have been through, dozens of children at the Sideras Children’s Home in Indore, India, continue singing unto the Lord. Many lost their homes in the August 2008 militant Hindu attacks in Orissa, while others lost one or both parents. VOM provides support for some of children. You can, too!

Call our office at 1-888-298-6423 to find out how.

Take a minute to watch and listen to the children sing (Length 1:00).

You can sponsor a persecuted child in India!

One building of the Sideras Children's Home in Indore, India

In August 2008, militant Hindus unleashed an assault on Christians in at least 12 districts of Orissa state.

More than 100 people were killed, 4,500 homes and churches burned, and 70,000 people displaced. Christians were told they could not return to their homes or remain safe unless they converted to Hinduism.

Following the attacks, VOM partnered with a ministry to provide 60 affected children with a place to live and an education. Word spread, and that number increased to 125 children, ranging in age from 4 to 16.

Today, VOM continues to support children at the Sideras Children’s Home who have lost their homes or, in some cases, one or both parents during the 2008 attack.

You are invited to join us in supporting these children.

For $40/month, you can provide a child’s education, clothing, housing, food and medical costs. You can support the child monthly or make a gift to cover the entire year. After we receive your commitment, we will send you a photo of your child along with information about him/her. We will ensure that you receive updated information about your child at least once during the year. Also, you can send letters to your child by way of VOM’s office.

Please prayerfully consider being a part of a child’s life!

Contact our office at 1-888-298-6423 today, as VOM sponsors a limited number of children.

Spate of attacks on Christians erupts in Orissa, India

Pray for believers in Orissa state!

Hindu extremists have attacked Koya tribal Christians in villages in a remote area of Orissa state at least 15 times since December 8, 2010, reported Compass Direct News.

In the latest incident on February 23, about 60 assailants from the Hindu extremist group Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh in Murliguda damaged the eardrums of Bhadan Hontal and beat Markari Soma until he fell unconscious, according to a report by the Malkangiri District Christian Manch (MDCM).

Christian women, some pregnant, as well as children were among those injured in the attacks on churches. The spate of attacks began on December 8, in Katanpali village, when about 35 Hindu extremists stormed the house of Pastor Mark Markani and beat him.

On December 25, some 200 extremists barged into a Christmas Day celebration at a church in Koyi Konda village, beat the worshippers and destroyed furniture. About 10 houses belonging to Christians and their crops were destroyed.

The Christians filed a police complaint, but no action was taken.

Christians have suffered midnight raids on prayer meetings in which they have been beaten, resulting in some Christians fleeing their homes and going into hiding. At least four families have left their village and not returned due to extremist warnings, reported the MDCM.

At the same time, Hindu extremists have forced about 25 people to convert to Hinduism in the Mottu area.

Church leaders said increased attacks on Christians are a symptom of fear and envy among Hindu extremists, who perceive that Christianity is spreading in many areas and who mistake Christian social and educational ministries as illegally “luring” people to convert.

The local Christian community has met with various district authorities to address the situation, including the chief minister.

On March 3, area Christian leaders again met with the area district collector, who assured them that immediate action would be taken. Meanwhile, village Christians received rice and some essential items from the administration.

Area Christians fear that Malkangiri may see the same kind of eruption of violence that killed at least 100 people in Kandhamal district. Particularly since the same officials have been transferred from Kandhamal to Malkangiri district.

Orissa government fails to uphold the law; anti-Christian violence continues

Orissa Christians suffer much
persecution.

In Orissa state, India, Christians continue to be killed, fall victims to act of violence and endure discrimination, this more than two years after the pogroms that took the lives of 75 people, reported Asia News today.

Last year, Christians and Dalits were victims in 62 cases of human rights violations, this according to the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).

On January 18, NHRC chairman K. G. Balakrishnan arrived in Bhubaneswar where he urged local authorities to stop religious and caste intolerance, especially in Kandhamal district.

Fr. Ajaya Kumar Singh, social service director of Archdiocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, told Asia News that the Orissa government could do more against human rights violations in Kandhamal. It could start by providing adequate and faster compensation to families who lost members during the 2008 Hindu pogroms.

In recent years, more than 50,000 people have been forced to flee their homes.

You can read the full report here.

Christmas celebrations held in Orissa, India; Christian's vehicle torched

Suranjan Naik with his vehicle
(photo from GCIC)

Several Christians were able to celebrate Christmas in Orissa state, India, this past weekend, say reports from All India Christian Council and ASSIST News Service.

In Bodimunda village, Christians reportedly celebrated Christmas together for the first time in three years. In Barakahma village, police kept watch as approximately 2,000 prayed together.

The peaceful celebrations came as a relief for many, as there had been fear that the holidays could lead to a flare-up in anti-Christian violence, especially as the state has been the site of intense attacks in recent years (see here). Fear of attacks prevented Christians in remote villages from holding Christmas celebrations.

Christmas weekend was not entirely without incident in Orissa, as a believer's vehicle was set on fire in Phulbani on December 25. Suranjan Naik and his wife, a nurse, were staying on campus at the government hospital. They were away attending a Christian celebration when their vehicle was set ablaze.

Thank the Lord that many brothers and sisters in Orissa were able to gather and joyously celebrate the birth of their Saviour, Jesus Christ. Pray a spirit of trust in the Lord, not fear, will govern the hearts and minds of believers in India. Pray those seeking to harm Christians in India because of their faith will repent of their ways and come to know Christ as Lord.

Kandhamal, Orissa: Beauty and brutality

You may be wondering where this blog's current header image -- a beautiful and lush landscape -- is from. I took this photo last fall while in Kandhamal district, Orissa state, India to meet with Christians who suffered severely in the August 2008 violence (click here to find out more about those attacks).

While driving around Kandhamal to visit different villages and relief camps, I was struck by the splendour of the countryside in contrast to the ugliness of the demolished homes and churches.

Here are some photos to give you an idea of the beauty of Kandhamal and the brutal devastation that was caused by the anti-Christian violence.