Orissa violence stretches into third week

Christians fear more trouble is brewing as violence against believers that began Aug. 24 stretches into a third week in the Indian state of Orissa.

On Sunday, September 7, members of a Hindu extremist group plan to hold an inflammatory rally and funeral procession with the ashes of their murdered leader, Swamiji Laxmanananda Saraswati. Saraswati was shot by alleged Maoist insurgents two weeks ago.

The procession was banned by the Orissa government, but Compass Direct News reports state leaders believe the gathering may take place anyway.

Indian Christians from various denominations across the nation plan to fast and pray on Sunday for the situation in Orissa.

While the Global Council of Indian Christians says more than 100 people have been killed in the violence, the Kandhamal District Collector’s Office told Compass Direct that the death toll is only 14 people. The office reports 22,685 people are in relief camps in Kandhamal.

The same office has also reported that 2,400 buildings have been destroyed in the mayhem, though Christian leaders believe the total is much higher.

Christians in Orissa say that most Hindus have been peaceable and point to the extremist group as the source of the two weeks of violence.

Reports of violence against Orissa's Christians are streaming into Mission India's office:

• Extremists attempted to poison wells in several relief camps
• Police stood by silently while a mob stole food supplies from Christian refugees in another relief camp
• There have been numerous reports of sexual assaults against Christian women
• Fundamentalists are threatening to kill Christians if they do not renounce Christ and return to Hinduism

Extremists continue to blame Christians for Saraswati's death even though leaders of a Maoist group issued a statement claiming responsibility for the assassination. The Maoists are an extreme communist insurgent group banned by the Indian government.

Saraswati allegedly incited attacks on Christians and their property in the Kandhamal region of Orissa during last Christmas season. The violence lasted for more than a week beginning December 24, 2007 and killed at least four Christians and burned 730 houses and 95 churches.

The 2007 attacks were allegedly carried out mainly by Hindu extremists under the pretext of avenging an alleged attack on Saraswati by local Christians. Hundreds of Christians were displaced by the 2007 violence in Kandhamal, and many were still in various relief camps set up by the state government when the recent attacks surfaced.

Christians make up 2.4% of Orissa’s population of 37 million people.

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Believers in Orissa and across India need your prayers as they cling to their faith in Jesus during this frightening ordeal. Your gifts will also help support Mission India's three outreach programs: Bible-based Adult Literacy Classes, Children's Bible Clubs, and Church Planter Training.

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