Date:07/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/07/stories/2008090754090900.htm

National

Christian federation condemns Orissa violence

NEW YORK: The Federation of Indian Christian Organisations in North America has expressed shock over continuing violence against Christians in Orissa and demanded an immediate inquiry and replacement of the local police and paramilitary forces by the Army to stop “ethnic cleansing by Hindu fundamentalist outfits.”

The federation, in a statement, demanded the dismissal of the State government which, it said, had failed to protect its own people.

It rejected the contention of the State government that the situation was under control, saying six more churches were burnt since that statement was made by the authorities. Hundreds of Christian houses had been set afire and more than 60,000 Christians were hiding in forests without food and water. Also, the number of missing persons was rising, it said.

“Hindu radicals are making plans to cleanse Orissa of its Christian population. The brutal mob goes on raping nuns and beating up priests. There have been more than 3,000 forcible re-conversions to Hinduism,” it said. — PTI