Date:29/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/29/stories/2008102960141200.htm

National

Attacked priest dies in Chennai

Special Correspondent

BHUBANESWAR: A priest who was attacked in Kandhamal district of Orissa during communal riots two months ago succumbed to his injuries at a private hospital in Chennai late on Tuesday evening.

Fr. Bernard Digal, 48, who hailed from Orissa, was initially given treatment at a hospital in Bhubaneswar before he was shifted to Mumbai.

Fr. Digal, who suffered fractures on his body and injuries on his head, was subsequently taken to Chennai for better treatment.

Confirming the death, Bhubaneswar’s Vicar General Fr. Joseph Kalathil said the body would be brought to Orissa on Wednesday.

Anti-Christian violence had broken out in Kandhamal in the aftermath of the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati on August 23.