Believers fear Christmas violence in Orissa

Hindu extremists threaten repeat of 2007 attacks on Christians

December 11, 2008

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Christians in riot-torn regions of Orissa fear that their celebration of the Savior's birth will be marred by violence a second year in a row.

Hindu extremists have called for a Dec. 25 state-wide bandh, or forced shut-down on all business activity and social gatherings such as Christmas celebrations, Compass Direct News reports.

This threat has given rise to fresh worries about the bandh serving as a pretext for renewed violence against those publicly celebrating Christmas.

Any additional violence would come on the heels of more than three months of suffering by Christians in this eastern Indian state.

Since late August, believers have suffered unspeakable atrocities at the hands of Hindu extremists. As many as 500 believers martyred. Hundreds of homes and churches burned. Thousands left homeless.

Christians have good reason to believe extremists will follow through on their Christmas threats. On December 24, 2007, extremists fueled attacks on Christians that led to 10 days of riots and violence in one region of Orissa, leaving at least 4 dead and thousands homeless.

Christian leaders in Orissa and across India have appealed to the government to put a stop to the threatened bandh, which is illegal under Indian law.

Orissa's chief minister said the bandh should not take place but stopped short of prohibiting the plan. And the Indian federal goverment has "expressed its disapproval of the proposed bandh but so far has not taken any action to clamp down on extremists' plans, Compass Direct reports.

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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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Click on the photos below to see more images from Orissa