Update on attacks on Christians in Orissa – requests for you to write
Dear Friends
The situation in Orissa continues to cause much pain. The news is that the violence has spread to other districts of Orissa. I’m copying to you information I received from EFI that gives you an update as of this morning. There is also a call for Christians to express their solidarity with those who are suffering in Orissa. Please continue to pray for those in leadership both of the Nation, the state and also the church and Christian organisations.
In Christ
CB Samuel, EFI NEWS
Orissa Christian Persecution Update
1) Baptist Churches are being targeted in the continued spate of violence that has spread its tentacles across the state.
2) Gajapati district today has witnessed torching of one independent Baptist Church. Local sources report of a church in Baliguda and six in Phulbani district being burnt by the errant mob.
3) According to reports three persons were burnt after their houses were torched at midnight of August 25th 2008. One each in Kandhamal and Bargarh were burnt to death during the 12 hour statewide bandh.
4) Compassion East India office (NGO) in Bhubaneswar was ransacked. While in gruesome act a man named Ramesh Digal was brutally cut into pieces.
5) Three adults and one child were reportedly killed in fresh violence in Barakhama, Kandhamal.
6) Kandhamal district has already witnessed the death of 15 christians so far. Two in Mutungia village, 1 in Petaponga village, 1 in Borimunda village, 3 in Katinga village, 3 in Tianga village, 3 in Adikuppa village and 1 in Bakingia village were hacked to death by the rampaging Hindu mob.
7) Mission Compound in Sunapanga in Baliguda is also set on fire. Terrified Christians from Padapara, Marlova and other places have fled to the jungles.
8) There have been already over fifty eight instances of violence in which more that 400 Christian houses are gutted down by fire in Kandhamal including 150 houses in Rupagaon alone.
The authorities are mere helpless spectators watching Christians being lynched before their eyes.
EFI requests prayers for the safety of our brothers and sisters in the State of Orissa and appeal to Christian community to write to the addresses mentioned below.
Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India
Room No. 152,
South Block,
New Delhi, 110001
(O) Tel : +91-11-23012312
(O) Fax: +91-11-23016857
Shri Navin Patnaik
Chief Minister of Orissa
Naveen Nivas,
Aerodrome Road,
P.O.-Bhubaneswar,
District-Khurda,
Pin-751001 (Orissa)
(O) Tel: +91-0674-2531100, 2535100, 2531500
(O) Fax: +91-0674-2400100
(R) Tel: +91-0674-2590299, 2591099,2590844,2591100,2590833
Email:cmo@ori.nic.in
Shri Amarananda Pattanayak, IPS
Director General of Police
(O) Tel: +91-0671-2304451, 2306501
(O) Fax: +91-0671-2304033
Rev. Dr. Richard Howell
General Secretary
Evangelical Fellowship of India
New Delhi, India
Evangelical Fellowship of India (established 1951) is a charter member of World Evangelical Alliance, an accredited NGO with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations
National United Christian Forum
(CBCI, NCCI and EFI Churches)
Archbishop’s House, 1 Ashok Place, New Delhi – 110001
011- 23343457/ 23362058 Fax: 011- 23746575
NUCF condemns the violence in Orissa
National United Christian Forum (NUCF) denounces the communal violence that has erupted over the gruesome murder of a VHP leader and four others in Kandhamal district allegedly by Maoist groups. While condemning the dastardly act of murder we appeal to one and all to maintain communal harmony and peace.
The Christians were not at all involved in the incident. Nevertheless, there have been already over forty five instances of violence, including the burning alive of atleast five persons and over three hundred homes in Rupagaon, Kandhamal.
Appealing to the Christian community, Archbishop Vincent M. Concessao, President NUCF, said, "As a mark of our solidarity with our suffering brothers and sisters and as a protest against all acts of communal violence and atrocities on the Christian community and other innocent people we request all our Christian schools, colleges and other educational institutions to be closed on Friday, August 29, 2008, and we wish that everywhere peaceful marches/rallies be conducted with black flags’ demonstration in a truly prayerful spirit."
We also declare Sunday, September 7 2008 as a Day of Prayer and Fasting and we hope that all our dioceses, our churches, parish communities and all church institutions/organizations will hold prayer services and memorial gatherings on this day, highlighting the need for our solidarity with all the victims and pray for all our Missionaries in India, who are facing most trying and difficult times for the sake of the Gospel."
We appeal to the Central and State governments to take strong measures to curb violence caused by any group in the country and urge all political, social and religious organizations to desist from spreading communal hated which has already taken a heavy toll in our country.
Rev. Dr. Richard Howell
Secretary, NUCF
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