Brown's Daily Word 8-29-08

Dear Praying Friends,
Praise the Lord for this, another day in the Lord's Kingdom. His Kingdom is eternal and everlasting. Whenever I read the writings of Elizabeth Elliot, particularly, "Through Gates of Splendor", I am stirred and provoked to love the Lord even more and to seek His Kingdom with fervency and gladness. I am compelled to sacrifice to His blood "all the vain things that charm me most".
The atrocities and violence toward Christians in Orissa continue unabated. I am forwarding information concerning a prayer vigil being organized by Indian Christians to take place today in front of UN headquarters. Also, the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India has called for the closing of all the Catholic schools, colleges, and humanitarian institutions in India for today - numbering about 45,000.
We had sad news last evening from our village in India, that the Hindu militant mob burned down our family home and all of its contents. (All food, clothing, furniture, and belongings have been lost. There was no insurance on the house or its contents.) My mom has lived there all of her married life - over 60 years - and all of my brothers and sisters (and I) were born and raised there. My grandfather - the first Christian in the village - first started building the house in 1914. When I was a young boy the church met in our house because there was not yet a church building in our village. There have been many additions to the house through the years. Up to 50 people have slept in the house at a given time. It has been a haven of rest to many of God's people who have come there to share the Good News. Some of you who are reading this letter have experienced the love and hospitality shared by my family in this home. Short-term missionaries from across the globe - from Australia, New Zealand, England, USA, Germany, Switzerland, Canada, and South Korea have stayed there. When I heard that the house was destroyed by arson I was deeply saddened and angered.
My mom, niece, and nephew had left the house 3 days earlier and fled to the jungle nearby. They saw the house in flames in the night, and as early morning came on they walked to through the jungle to the temporary shelter that has been established in town. Approximately 10,000 Christians have gathered in that makeshift shelter with no facilities.
I am forwarding a note from Dr. Allan Burns in a separate mailing. Please take time to read it, pray about it, and share. Thank you for your prayers and your words of encouragement in this difficult time.



Dear Friends,

I am forwarding to you the following invitation from Dr. Allan Burns, PhD. Dr. Burns is the Chairman of the Board of Care For India Project. Dr. Warren Ayer, PhD. is the Vice Chairperson. Care For India Project is registered as a non-profit organization for tax-exempt purposes. Its main mission is to provide ministry care in Orissa, India in the form of caring for the Dugudi Children's Home, providing medical care for the poor in Phulbani district, the epicenter of the current violence, and also caring the for the support of the pastors and evangelists. Dr. Burns and his wife, Senie, have been to Orissa, India on short-term mission trips several times. They know the need and the people firsthand. Thank you for praying and caring.

In Christ,

Brown

Dear Team,

I have just spoken with Brown Naik on how we can best support our Christian brothers and sisters in Orissa at this time of extreme persecution. Of course, he says to pray, pray, pray. Also, however, there are financial needs for those who have been burned out of their homes and have fled to the jungles and other locations. Any financial gifts would be used for food and clothing for these displaced Christians.

Please make any checks out to "Union Center United Methodist Church" and place "India Project" in the memo line.

The address:
Union Center United Methodist Church
128 Maple Drive
Endicott, NY 13760-6301

In Christ's Name,

Allan


I just spoke with a young friend, named Franklin, who is a Christian lawyer in India. He also has fled to the shelter. He asked me to share his heart's cry for prayer for the persecuted Christians in India. Though this is a frightening situation, it is an exciting time to be a Christian, serving our Lord and Savior. When I hear the stories of valor and courage of Christians in Orissa my faith is strengthened, my heart is cleansed, and I am resolved to finish the race well that those who come behind us find us faithful.
Please take time to read the following notice concerning the day of prayer outside the UN building in NY City today. Those of you who have the gift of writing, please write to your local newspaper, radio station, or TV station, apprising them of the situation as it unfolds. Please forward the mailings to your praying friends, too.

In Christ, and on behalf of the suffering Christians in India,
Brown

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MJ4VqfCRZI

The Federation of Indian American Christian Organization of North America
110 Maryland Ave, NE, Suite# 306, Washington, DC, 20002 USA
Phone: 202-547-6228 www.fiacona.org Email: bernardmalik@hotmail.com
Prayer Vigil in front of United Nations on 29th August 2008


In the wake of unabated violence against Christians in Orissa, FIACONA has called in solidarity with the suffering Christians a day of prayer on 29th August.Two cases of death due to cardiac arrest have been reported from Phiringia block, in which the communication has been disrupted. Baliguda sub-division is the worst-affected area. More than 500 houses have already been burnt and churches are attacked and torched, said a senior officer under the condition of anonymity
Munna, a 15-day-old child was crying for milk in the jungles. The child, along with 256 inmates of an orphanage, is staying in the forest as they are scared to death by the mob frenzy in Kandhamal district.
The conditions of at least seven children of the orphanage in the age group of 14 days to two months are precarious. There is nobody to help them and all of them are in a state of trauma. Since August 25, these hapless children and their mothers are inside the jungle being at the mercy of snakes, wolves and wild dogs.
Similar is the conditions of the students of Mount Caramel of Baliguda as most of them have fled to their homes. After reaching their homes, they also find it risky to survive as the protesters are after them and their parents.
Rumours of killing and looting have forced the minority Christian community members to take shelter in the nearby jungles. More than 20,000 Christians have fled from their houses, according to sources. Old, infirm, women and children have left their villages. The patients are not able to move out for medical assistances as the roads are closed.
ORISSA LIST OF ATTACKS updated as on 29th August 2008
Sl. No. Incident Place
1 (25-08-08) Kandhamal Dist. Yesterday at 0430 to 0500 PM, around 1000 perpetrators of Sangh parivar chased and killed 4 Christians by dagger and sword on the road whose names are ; Bikram Naik(38), Dasaratha Pradhan(38), Surendra Naik (40) and another Christian brother whose name is still not reported. The deceased were trying to protect their Church when the radicals tried to fire it.

Tiangia village
2 (25-08-08) Rev. Prakash Naik's prayer house at Raikia is burnt Yesterday.
Raikia
3 (25-08-08) In Mandakia, Batingia villages the whole Christian Colony are bombed and destroyed this morning. In Raikia MP Dr. R.K.Nayak's house, Joy Mandal, Bro. Das, Santosh Naik and Santanu's houses are destroyed on bombing Yesterday at 10 PM
Mandakia
4 (25-08-08) In many places till now when there is no police guard, the mob is furiously moving from one Christian village to another in G. Udayagiri area right now and damaging the Christian properties. Bodimunda, Gadhaguda, Telingia, Sukananda, Gracingia, Nuasahi,Kurmingia, Mallickpadi village of G. Udayagiri are under their attack right now
5 (25-08-08) Pastor Khyamasila Bagh of Rudaangia of Raikia has been severely attacked and all his houses are damaged today.
Rudaangia
6 (25-08-08) Many Christians in (1000 +)nos. in Phiringia are fled to the forest to save their lives but there they are under starvation now.
Kandhamal
7 (25-08-08) In Jeypur, Koraput 2 Churches of Pastor Choudhury have been burnt by the radicals Yesterday. In Baipariguda, Koraput A Christian social welfare institute called "SEARCH" where 150 orphans were staying, are totally ransacked Yesterday ad the Father in charge is severely beaten by them. All Christian houses and properties of the Christians at Narayanapatna, Koraput are completely destroyed Yesterday by the Bajrangies
Koraput
8 (25-08-08) Believers Church (FA) Missionary Birendra Harijan(29) and his wife was kidnapped by the Bajrangies at Naka Pola, Dharmashala, Jajpur Dist Yesterday Night after having tortured and beaten. Dharmashala
9 (25-08-08) One Christian have been burnt alive along with the complete Christian colony set onto fire Yesterday night by the Hindu extremists at Papadhandi village of Nawarangapur Dist. Nawarangapur10 (25-08-08) Loyola School at Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar is attacked & damaged Yesterday.
Bhubaneswar
11 (25-08-08) The name of the lady cook at Missionary Orphan Center at Khuntapalli, Padampur burnt alive is Rajani Majhi (29).
Padampur
12 In Balliguda at Divyo Jyoti Catholic Center at Kanjamindi, A Sister namely Mina Barua has been gang raped publicly and Father Thomas after he was beaten seriously, made naked also publicly and Petrol was put over him to burn him alive through matches by the perpetrators but it was not firing due to rain in the mean time, Police arrived and rescued both of them. Baliguda
13 A village called Khuntipalli in an Orphanage at about 1230 Noon, radicals entered, ransacked and set fire to the same today where 22 orphan students were staying with a lady Cook. Around 10 students fled to the nearby forest to save their lives.
Bargarh Dist
14 Other 12 students have received burnt injuries and are admitted into the hospital at Bargarh town. But the lady cook was locked by the radicals inside the kitchen and she was burnt alive there by the perpetrators.
Bargarh Dist
15 Two Christians namely Jaka Naik (35) and Gapana Nayak (42) were killed in Budamaha village of Raikia. Their body is lying near Abasi Kupa road for the last 24 hours. From Budamaha village 400 Christians fled to the forest.
Raikia
16 Lambar Pradhan of St. Pauls Orphanage, Kalhandi Mission, Udhitnagar was seriously injured in the attack
Kalhandi
17 Dahalathadi Baliguda block 3 houses and Church burnt
Baliguda
18 Bhagamunda 7 houses destroyed Bhagamunda
19 A Christian nun was reported burnt alive by a group of Vishwa Hindu Parishad mob which stormed the orphanage she ran in the district of Bargarh (Orissa). Police Superintendent Ashok Biswall has told this to news reporters. A priest who was at the orphanage was also badly hurt and is now being treated in hospital for multiple burns.
Bargarh
20 A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese working Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed
Nuagaon
21 Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a disheveled state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was then set afire.
Kanjimendi
22 On 24th August 2008 evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24th and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent and hostel damaging the 300 properties over 1500 Christians fled to the forest for safety.
Baliguda
23 The mobs caught hold of two boys of the Catholic hostel and tonsured their heads.
Baliguda24 25th morning followers of the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in Phulbani, the district headquarter town.
Phulbani
25 Mobs attacked the Mother Teresa Brothers' residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients. Fundamentalists have targeted Priests, religious and also the Faithful in Pobingia also.
Srasanda/Pobingia
26 This morning violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of Catholic Church and Archbishop's house in the heart of the Capital of the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police presence. They threw stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop's House, damaging windows.
Bhubaneswar
27 Another group of fundamentalists entered presbyteryin Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged property. Two priests of the parish are missing
Duburi Parish
28 Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and his property, vehicle etc. damaged, burnt and looted.
29 A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged. Bhubaneswar
30 Christian institutions like St. Arnold's School (Kalinga Bihar),AND NISWASS report some damage
Kalinga
31 Boudh (Adjoining Kandhamal): Fundamentalists enter the Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to safer places. But nothing seems safe
Boudh dist
32 Catholic Fathers and Nuns' residence have been damaged.
Muniguda
33 HM Sister's residence (Ainthapalli) has suffereddamage.
Sambalpur
34 One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital.
Padanpur
35 Catholic Church currently under attack.
Madhupur
36 Small Churches: Attempted violence on small churches in variousdistricts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera, Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tangrapada, Phulbani, Kalingia, Tumudibandha, Raikia, Balliguda, Nuagaon, Phiringia, Khajuripara, Tikabali, G. Udayagiri, Chakapada, Daringbadi and many other areas of Kandhamal District are extremely volatile.
37 Houses attacked on forest hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia (G.Udayagiri), Padangiri, Tikabali.
38 Houses burnt even though the district is more than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was killed.
Kalahandi Dist.
39 Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his house burnt Bhawanipatna
40 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up Kharihar
41 Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their families.
Aampani
42 Mob surrounds village to attack Christians. The government has sent forces, it is reported. Naktikani
43 Bikram Digal and Willium Digal –two believers have been detained by the Nuagaon Police. Radicals have planed knives and black masks (Naxalite gear) on them and dragged them to the police
Nuagaon
44 Regional Superior Sister Suma of Congregation of Missionaries of Charities said thatMC sister of were going to participate Sunday mass, on their way to the parish they were blocked on the way and some of the youth who were protesting through stones to the vehicle, the glasses of the vehicle broken, they were also protected by the public and sent back to the convent. They are safe and no injury caused them.
Dharmgard
45 10 Shops belonging to Christians ransacked and destroyed
Raikia
46 25 Christian houses burnt at Rupagaon, Christians flee into the forest to save their lives Rupagaon
47 Christians shops burnt
Paburia
48 Churches razed to the ground at Adaskupa and Sulesaru Churches
49 Christians are hiding in the forests, the trauma of the Dec '07 riots are being relived. The Women and children are starving there without food and water. Armed Radicals roaming on the village roads
50 Benagaberi village Church and believers houses are burnt
Benagaberi
51 Amlapada street, the radicals are destroying the Christian houses. Bro Arup Jena, Journalist PTI's Mobike has been burnt along with few others in the neighboring houses in the mid night. Phulbani
52 Church and Christian houses have been destroyed this morning.
Danguli's village
53 Church and Day Care Center have been burnt this morning.
Lahabadi
54 Rashimundi Church burnt this morning.
55 Christian houses completely destroyed this morning.
Keredi village
56 Church and Pastor's house destroyed this morning.
Kambaguda
57 Tengeda padar village Church and Christian houses totally destroyed at midnight
Tikabali
58 JEL Church and two nearby prayer houses at Talsara, Tentulipada, Sundergarh have been burnt few hours just after the death of Swamiji.
Dumerguda
59 At Chiplima, Pastor S.P. Muna has been severely beaten in the midnight and his Moike has been burnt.
Sambalpur
60 Mission India slum Churches were attacked from this morning and the radicals were trying to destroy and on report
61 (24-08-08) One man, a handicapped believer namely Rasananda Pradhan at Rupa gaon, was burnt alive. He could not run to the forest when others rushed and saved their lives. As his two legs doesn't function, he could not run and save himself when radicals out of rampage set ablaze that whole village and 25 huts Christians houses together last midnight
Kandhamal
62 (24-08-08) The radicals Hindu completely burnt two Churches called JEL Church and Fellowship Church. Narayanapatna
63 (24-08-08) The VHP radicals in 1000 nos. have created havock today
Koraput
64 (24-08-08) They have forcefully detained the Pastor of the JEL Church Bro.
Prabhudan Pangi (76) in captive in a locked room after firing the Church and beating him very badly with some injuries. Beside that all properties of the local Christians they found there like their vehicles, cycles etc are burnt by the radicals today.
65 (24-08-08) Houses of Adv. Pravat Kumar Bidika and his brother Bhaskar Bidika have completely demolished by the Sangh Parivar radicals.
Narayanapatna.
66 In Bariniput, Kaligaon and Dhanpur villages 3 Churches are on fire. The believers houses are looted there.
Koraput
67 Mission School is also ransacked by the same radicals today.
Bramhanigaon
68 More than 11 nos of the Christian houses are completely ransacked and two Pastor's houses were also burnt today.
Phulbani
69 This afternoon a Christian leader Ananda Pradhan's house was totally ransacked along with the Christian Nua Sahi was also destroyed. All the Christian houses and Churches at Balliguda are destroyed by the radicals so far.
Baliguda
70 The condition of the small Christian children during these rainy and dreadful days who are hiding are very precarious since Yesterday
71 In Mandakia village of Raikia, rampant damage has been done by the perpetrators to all the Christian families living there including which Kabita's native house is also there.
72 Tormentors are ransacking and destroying their Church and houses right now. Close to that in a forest, many small children along with their mothers and parents from Christian families are hiding since Yesterday to save their lives without food and water. Among them one pregnant sister is there whose time is just approaching and they are crying before me over a mobile to rescue them from that situation. They have not carried any clothes even when they hurriedly ran away to the forest
Baiballi village
73 It is also reported that some riot expert executors of BHP and VHP are coming from Gujrat to Kandhamal to give it a final shape up to their satisfaction of completely smashing, destroying, ousting and killing the Christians there.
Kandhamal
74 In the remote villages like Tiangia, Patangi of G. Udayagiri and many more where there is no Police force Tormentors are destroying and burning the Christians properties house by house right now. Situation tonight will be worst as reported.
G. Udayagiri
75 The radicals had attacked the Pastor of Chiplima Church of Sambalpur Dist. and had burnt his mobike. Today they went back there and destroyed the same Church.
Sambalpur
76 Bagibahal village Church at Deogarh Dist. has been burnt today.
Deogarh
77 Main Baptist Church has been attacked and stoned today.
Sambalpur
78 Kalinga Nagar, Jajpur Dist. Catholic Church has been ransacked today.
79 A small Believers Church at BDA, Chandrasekharpur, Siyon Sramika Slum at Bhubaneswar is ransacked today. The Christian families staying in the slum are threatened to bombed tonight. Bhubaneswar
80 Catholic Church of Bhubaneswar has been attacked and stoned twice during Bandh time today. Radicals were trying to enter by force but Police guards checked them.
Satyanagar
81 IPC Faith Home Church at VSS Nagar, Bhubaneswar was stoned and front door damaged by the radicals today.
Bhubaneswar
82 Actions Ministries State Coordinator Rev. Sangram Singh's rented house was ransacked today in his absence and his official papers and Christian literatures were burnt out side the house. His Hindu Landlord has been threatened to remove him soon from his house otherwise they will demolish the said house.
83 Congress Party during the course of Assembly session, has brought No Confidence motion against the BJD-BJP Govt. today. The CM is busy to clear that in their favor tomorrow hence not giving any appointment to discuss with him any more about the present situation getting to worst.
84 NISWASS, the institute of M.P. Dr. Radhakanta Nayak has been totally severely ransacked. Xavier Institute has also been partially damaged in Bhubaneswar today by the Sangh Parivar extremists.
Bhubaneswar
85 An Independent Church in a slum behind May fair Hotel has been burnt by the radicals today.
86 Few Missnaries in Simar village, Baghamari of Nayagarh Dist. are hiding at present as they have been chased by the radicals to be killed.
87 The AG Pastor Pratyush Kumar Barik's rented house Church has been ransacked. The Land lord has been cautioned by the radicals to remove this Pastor's family at once. Many house Church Fellowships in Jagatsinghpur Dist. have been attacked and ransacked.
Jagatsinghpur
88 Mission India Missionary Matthew Lima (28) at Jaraka Mission Field o Jajpur Dist. has been severely beaten in front of his wife by the Bajrangis this evening by 0530 to 0630PM. Finally they took them saying that they are taking him to the Police Station but ultimately it was found out that he has been kidnapped
89 Father Edward Seqira of Padampur Catholic Church, Deogarh Dist. has been brutally beaten and injured, admitted into local hospital, Doctor has referred him to Burla medical college due to the seriousness of the wounds. There is nobody with him to attend and take him there now. Deogarh
90 In Narla of Kalahandi Dist, a Christian Pastor called Lalit Pattnaik has been severely beaten up and his house ransacked today. Alok Christian, an Evangelist has fled to the forest to save his life.
Kalahandi
91 William Carey School of Dr. S.N. Patro at Janla, Khurda has been attacked this afternoon. Partially damaged and 2 school Buses are also damaged by 20 Nos. of radicals today.
Janla
92 In Govindapally, close to Boipariguda, protestors entered the Convent and damaged the grotto of Our Lady and the Cross of the Church yard. In the same district Fathers and Sisters in Koraput, Jeypore and Semiliguda are in hiding.
Govindapally
93 (26-08-08) Dr. Prabin Togadia stated before a Press Conference that VHP (world Hindu Council) will organize Anti Conversion /Christian Rallies throughout Orissa.
94 (26-08-08) Another JEL Church at Panasa pada, Sundergarh was burnt at 0400PM today. Radicals are planning and have threatened to destroy the main Church there tonight.
Panasa Pada
95 (26-08-08) At present firing is going on at Barakhama in which around 6 persons are died already and 20 are injured as per Govt. report. But at actual the casualties are expected to be more. Barakhama is totally cut off from all other corners in all means.
Barakhama
96 (26-08-08) A Seventh Day Pastor namely Samuel Nayak (45) at Bakingia village of Raikia block at about 0230 PM today, stood in between and did not allow around 500 radicals to enter into his Church to damage it. Then they cut his throat by a dagger and he died on the spot and after that they destroyed the Church.
Raikia
97 (26-08-08) Pastor Akbar Digal(45) at Totomaha, Raikia has also been killed at sight today afternoon
Raikia
98 (26-08-08) A non Christian called Sidheswar Digal is killed by the radicals also during this afternoon at Sulesaru village for the reason of giving shelter to his own Christian son in law in his house.
Sulesaru
99 (26th & 27th) Ajuba Naik was killed in Barakhama,
Kandhamal Barakhama
100 (26th & 27th) Prafulla Nayak was killed in Barakhama,
Kandhamal Barakhama
101 (26th & 27th) Meri Digal was bombed and killed in Barakhama, Kandhamal.
Barakhama
102 (26th & 27th) Ramesh Ch. Digal was killed in Budamaha, '
Kandhamal Budamaha
103 (26th & 27th) Trinath Digal was killed in Tiangia,
Kandhamal Kandhamal
104 (26th & 27th) A school teacher namely Gulu - Kanbagiri,
Kandhamal Kandhamal
105 (26th & 27th) One person killed in Phiringia,
Kandhamal Phiringia
106 (26th & 27th) One person killed in Parlakhemundi
Parlakhemundi
107 (26th Aug) In Pandarani village of Loinsingha PS of Bolangir Dist, at 5 PM Sangh Parivar radicals completely destroyed the church there.
Pandarani
108 In Manahira village of Bolangir Dist. the Church was totally burnt by the radicals on 26-08-08
Bolangir
109 Chichida village Church at Bargarh Dist. is burnt by the extremists. Madhupur and Sohela area of Bargarh Dist. Christians properties are totally damaged by the radicals on 26-08-08 Bargarh
110 A Catholic Church at Sankarakhole, Kandhamal is destroyed.
Kandhamal
111 Badimunda Christian village at G. Udayagiri, Kandhamal is totally burnt on 26-08-08 Kandhamal
112 Breka Christian village near Tikaballi is being fired just now.
Tikaballi
113 27th Aug In a village called Digi which is 8 Kms from Raikia, Kandhamal Dist. around 200 extremists attacked the Christians, and have killed 7 out of them on the spot for which around 1000 nos of Rioters are rushing towards that village now to attack and smash them
Raikia
114 Radicals are carrying out a large scale assault against Christians
Dodingia
115 (27th Aug) Pastor Daniel Naik martyred with family members.
Bakingia (8km from Raikia PS)
116 (27th Aug) Christian leader Michel Naik martyred with family members Bakingia (8km from Raikia PS)
117 (27th Aug) Orphanage and Church fully damaged in Mandsose. 400 children took shelter in the forest Missionaries of Charity nuns were running this Orphanage.
Mandose
118 (24th Aug) Pastor Jeebaratna Lima of Independent Church from Khurda district was attacked
Khurda dist
119 (24th Aug) Pastor, Bahumulya Naik, was attacked the same day in Bamunidei village in. Ganjam district
120 On 27th Aug night the radicals attacked and damaged 20 Christian houses in a place which 10 km from Golamunda, Kalhandi and people are now in the forest.
Golamunda
121 On 27th Aug Christians attacked in Daspur 3 km from Golamunda
Daspur
122 On 27th Aug Pastor Gayadhar Digal of Kasinipadar, Phiringia has been killed by sword by the radicals.
Phiringia
123 Churches at Kalisiguda, Sinaguda, Arangamala, Gumupadar, Masakapanga villages are totally burnt on 27-08-08
124 Southern Revenue Divisional Commissioner Mr. Satyabrata Sahu of Orissa has told the media that death toll by now is 810 injured, 28 vehicles burnt, 500 houses destroyed Kandhamal
125 On 27th Aug at Raikola Village of G. Udayagiri when radicals were firing the Christians homes, all the Christian women of that village came to the PS and met the Circle Inspector Mr. D.P. Mahanta and cried before him for rescue. On reply, they were misbehaved and disappointed with very harsh words from him who said that, "they have not got order to Shoot at Sight, so they can not do any thing. Why did you all killed Swamiji and his inmates, now you better die, if you all want the Police to go and rescue you then give money to buy diesel for our vehicle, then we will go to protect you ".
Raikia
126 Fight and bombing between Hindu and Minority Muslim groups in Kendrapada dist, has created tension since two days. Curfew is in force there. This has taken a turn towards Muslims by mistake after the Hindus have attacked Christians there on the Bandh day
Kendrapada
127 Violence in neighboring dists. like Gajapati, Rayagada is spreading.
128 Ramesh Digal of Sunakadu village along with many others are in the mountain forest since 3 days without food having chased by the radicals to be killed. They say, "what is use of Curfew only in the town area. Attacks and killings are going on in the villages."
Sunakadu
129 In Telapalli Village, Sadananda Pradhan, Anthou Digal, Parikhita Nayak was murdered by the radicals on 27th by sword.
Telapalli
130 Pastor Dibya sunder Digal of Drepang Church of Sipeaju was killed on 27th Aug with sword.
131 Christian villages namely Brekinga, Sukananda, Telengia, towards Paburia are on fire till now as have been set ablaze on 27th night by the Hindu fanatics.
132 A Christian namely Bidyadhar Digal of Dugabadi, Kotagada is also murdered by the Hindu fanatics on 27th Aug Dugabadi,
Kotagada
133 Durgaprasad Church in Bhanjanagar was burnt on 27th
Bhanjanagar
134 Radicals have bombed Madhapur area of Kendrapada on 27th Aug
Kendrapada
135 Murshingaon, Deogaon CNI Church of Bolangir Dist. torched Yesterday by the radicals. Bolangir
136 In Adaskupa area of Kandhamal the Hindu fanatics have burnt unspecified number of dead bodies after they were killed. Estimated to be more than 5 persons.
Kandhamal
137 On 28th August, A Church at Kunda Village of Dharmagarh, Kalahandi Dist, attacked and ransacked Yesterday.
Kalahandi
138 On 28th August, a Church at Thandamal village, Bolangir vandalised Yesterday.
Bolangir
139 On 28.08.08 Relief Camp at Hatpada U.P. School at G. Udayagiri was bombed by a Petrol bomb by the radicals Yesterday midnight. No toll is there except some injuries. Refugees were shifted to another school called Habaq High school.
G. Udayagiri
140 Minia Christian villages were attacked and destroyed Yesterday by the radicals
Minia
141 28.08.08 Pukulinga Christian village at G. Udayagiri is now on fire. G. Udayagiri

Brown's Daily Word 8-28-08

Dear Friends,
Praise the Lord for another brand new day in His Kingdom. Our Lord reigns. He rules. He is upon the Throne. "For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show His might in behalf of those whose heart is blameless toward Him."
Thank you for praying fervently and faithfully for the suffering and the tortured Christians of Orissa , India. I have been in touch with some my family members, and some of the Christian leaders there. The number of deaths of Christians (at the hands of Hindu militants) is rising; the numbers we hear through the press is inaccurate due to under-reporting. The state government of Orissa has demonstrated blatant negligence, failing to protect suffering Christians. The Chief Minister of Orissa and his cabinet, along with the members of the legislature, are pro-Hindu-militant. Even the police force deployed in the area are pro-Hindu. From my conversations yesterday with friends in India, it has come to the point where Christians, under the threat of death, are being forced to denounce Christ. From our latest information, the children from the 2 children's homes are back at these facilities at this time, living under constant fear and dread. My mom, together with my nephew and niece, have retreated into the nearby jungle.
I am enclosing some of the news reports that are coming out of India. (Please keep in mind that these are censored, and are under-reporting). Thank you to our friend Julie, who has been posting this to our web page at brownnaik.com . Thanks to those who have called from England, Australia, and other parts of the world, who are praying. People with whom I spoke yesterday (from India) asked for all of our prayers. They said, "Our trust is not in the government or the police; our trust is in Jesus Christ."
I have been moved, even stunned, to hear from one of the young Christian professionals, who said, "Uncle, please pray for these Hindu militants, so that someday their children and grandchildren shall prophesy and see visions, and dream dreams about the kingdom of Jesus." May the Lord accomplish this. It can happen! As I witnessed in Russia, the sons and daughters of former Communists are praising Jesus and declaring His mighty deeds.
HE REIGNS! HALLELUJAH!

Hindus continue to attack Christians in Kandhamal, Orissa, India

ASSIST News Service (ANS) - PO Box 609, Lake Forest, CA 92609-0609 USA Visit our web site at: www.assistnews.net -- E-mail: assistnews@aol.comWednesday, August 27, 2008 Deaths Mount as Violence Spreads in Orissa, IndiaRampaging Hindu extremists kill four more Christians yesterdayBy Michael IrelandChief Correspondent, ASSIST News Service
NEW DELHI, INDIA (ANS) -- At least 18 people are confirmed dead in 92 incidents of violence against Christians since suspected Maoists murdered Hindu leader Swamiji Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others on Saturday (Aug. 23) in Orissa state, says Compass News Direct (CND).
With Hindu extremists inciting hatred by heated accusations that Christians killed Saraswati, the national newspaper Hindu reported yesterday that nine people had been killed in Orissa violence, and a CND source near the state capital of Bhubaneswar confirmed an additional nine people slain.
The death count by the Hindu included four people killed in the Barakhama area. News agencies had earlier confirmed three dead in Raikia and two others, including a woman, killed in Bargarh, where a missionary-run orphanage was set on fire yesterday. The figure of 92 incidents thus far comes from the Global Council of Indian Christians.
Additionally, the Compass source said that Hindu extremists today killed pastor Samuel Naik of the Bakingia Seventh-Day Adventist Church at Kandhamal, and Jacob Digal and Gopan Naik of Damba village were slain this morning. Also killed today was Golok Naik of Pidinanju village (under Mondakia police station), and yesterday pastor Mukunda Bardhan from Mukundapur, Gajapati was burned to death.
Three other people whose names have not yet been verified, said the source, were killed in Katingia village of G. Udaygiri, along with a pastor belonging to Operation Mobilization from the same area. In Badimunda, about 12 kilometers (seven miles) from G. Udaygiri, nearly 25 Christian homes were burned down.
CND says there were many reports of Christians being pulled from their homes and killed or beaten, with many homes of Christians torched in Baliguda. According to reports by the Evangelical Fellowship of India (EFI), the East India office of Compassion International in Bhubaneswar was ransacked.
According to CND, Saraswati and four others were killed by suspected Maoists in the swami’s ashram, or religious center, in the Jalespata area of Kandhamal district’s Tumudiband Block in Orissa state. A warning letter found at the Saraswati religious center and use of expensive arms suggested Maoists were behind the attack.
In a state with a strong Maoist presence, CND says police reportedly said they have evidence to link the communist rebels to the murders of Saraswati and his four associates. One police theory is that Maoists would attack Hindu leaders in a misguided effort to gain support among area tribal people, many of whom have converted to Christianity.
On Sunday (Aug. 24) the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a partner in the state’s ruling coalition, and the Hindu extremist Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council or VHP) called for 12-hour a shut-down in which inflammatory speeches were made accusing Christians of killing Saraswati.
Authorities in Denial
CND also says Orissa Police Chief Gopal Chandra Nanda downplayed the violence, telling Reuters that incidents were only “sporadic” and that “some prayer houses have been attacked and vehicles have been burnt.”
Likewise, local authorities and media have painted the shutdown as “peaceful,” denying that organized attacks took place. The state is ruled by a coalition of the BJP and the Biju Janata Dal party.
At the same time, CND says that Hindutva (Hindu nationalist) extremists have continued to incite hatred against Christians and criticized the local government. VHP Secretary General Pravin Tagodia accused the state government of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik of acting like a “eunuch” and demanded his apology for the killing of Saraswati and his companions.
“Christians murdered Swamiji, but the government is lying and giving it a Maoist color,” Tagodia said. “Naveen as an individual and police, in particular, are responsible for this attack orchestrated by the church on Hindu dharma.’’
At the same time, a senior leader from Christian relief and development organization World Vision told CND that a news report about the arrest of their staff members in connection with Saraswati’s killing was false. The police had merely kept two of their employees for protection, he said.
“No complaint had been lodged against them,” he said. “The employees have safely reached their homes.”
Widespread Violence
Sources from Kandhamal district told CND that hundreds of Christians along with their families have fled to the nearby forests to save their lives in the rainy climate and are without shelter, food and clothing.
“Three adults and one child were reportedly killed in fresh violence in Barakhama, Kandhamal,” EFI News reported.
CND reports that at least 14 Christians have been killed in Kandhamal, according to the EFI news agency: Hacked to death by a rampaging mob of Hindu extremists were two Christians in Mutungia village, one in Petaponga village, one in Borimunda village, three in Katinga village, three in Tianga village, three in Adikuppa village and one in Bakingia village.
According to reports received from Kalahandi district, many incidents of violence and house burning have taken place even though it is more than 300 kilometers (186 miles) from the place where Saraswati was killed, CND said.
CND also reports that Christian sources said pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission was beaten and his house was burned in Bhawanipatna. In Kharihar, three Christian shops were looted and burned. Pastor Alok Das was beaten at Kharihar, as was pastor I.M. Senapati. In Aampani, pastor David Diamond Pahar was beaten by more than 200 people. They chased him away from Aampani, and he is hiding in nearby villages.
Pastor Pravin Ship and two other area pastor identified only as Pradhan and Barik were beaten and chased away with their families. In Naktikani, an angry mob surrounded the village to attack Christians. The government sent forces to try to control the mob but without success.
Christian Pleas
CND states that a delegation of Christian leaders in New Delhi met with Home Minister Shivraj Patil to brief him of the situation and to register their concern. Patil assured the Christian delegation, including the Rev. Dr. Richard Howell, general secretary of EFI, and Father Babu Joseph, spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India of the central government’s support in curbing violence against Christians in the state.
Another delegation led by Orissa state Christian leaders met Gov. Rameshwar Thakur with the same objectives. The Rt. Rev. Samson Das and attorney Bibhu Dutta Das were also among those who met with the Orissa governor yesterday.
In Kolkata, the All-India Minority Forum today condemned the attack on churches in Orissa and demanded the resignation of Chief Minister Patnaik for his “failure” to protect religious minorities in his state.
“We condemn in unequivocal terms the incident of burning alive people who belong to the Christian community by Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists, and armed attacks on churches in Orissa,” Forum President Idris Ali said.
‘Kill Christians’
CND noted the violence has spread even though church leaders across the country condemned the Hindu priest’s killing and appealed for peace.
The VHP and its allies had called for a 12-hour shutdown to protest the killing of the swami, and Christian leaders expected Hindu mobs would use it to mobilize strikes at the Christian community.
“But what has taken place has even surpassed what we expected,” said one pastor who wished to remain anonymous.
According to the CND report, Hindu extremists paraded the body of Saraswati throughout nearby villages, whipping up anger and mobilizing crowds against Christians, in uncontested defiance of a Kandhamal district administration prohibition against the gathering of four or more people. Among the slogans shouted was, “Kill Christians and destroy their institutions.”
In its report, CND statetd that in spite of an Orissa state-imposed curfew, crowds violated restrictions and proceeded to attack Christian communities throughout the state. Compass has received reports that the violence has spread to the districts of Gajapati, Phulbani, Nuaparha, Kalahandi, Rayagada and Koraput.
The Orissa Legislative Assembly was disturbed for the second consecutive day at the various calls for the resignation of Chief Minister Patnaik.
Christians make up 2.4 percent of Orissa’s population, or 897,861 of the total 3.7 million people.
** Michael Ireland, Chief Correspondent of ANS, is an international British freelance journalist who was formerly a reporter with a London newspaper and has been a frequent contributor to UCB Europe, a British Christian radio station. Michael's involvement with ASSIST News Service is a sponsored ministry department -- Michael Ireland Media Missionary (MIMM) -- of A.C.T. International at: Artists in Christian Testimony (A.C.T.) International.


More killed in India religious riots
Governor of the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand Syed Sibte Razi (C) holds a memorandum for peace presented by the leaders of Christian community in the eastern Indian city of Ranchi August 27, 2008. (REUTERS/Rajesh Kumar Sen)
By Jatindra Dash
August 27, 2008
BHUBANESWAR, India (Reuters) - Police were ordered to shoot rioters on sight in an eastern Indian state on Wednesday to tame rising violence between Hindus and Christians that has killed 11 people so far and left the Pope "profoundly saddened."
Three bodies were found overnight in Orissa's rural Kandhamal district, where Hindu mobs have damaged more than a dozen churches and attacked Christian homes and an orphanage this week.
The violence, now spreading to new districts, was sparked by the murder of a Hindu leader in Kandhamal, a tribal area where Christian missionaries have been active for years.
The murdered leader had been heading a local campaign to reconvert Hindus and tribal people from Christianity.
Authorities extended a curfew and issued orders to police to shoot on sight any troublemaker in 11 towns of Kandhamal.
Most of the dead so far have been Christians.
Hundreds of police marched through Kandhamal to maintain calm, but the violence spread to nearby districts with Hindus attacking Christians and the two groups clashing in some places.
Religious violence has roiled Kandhamal region for years with Hindu and Christian groups fighting over religious conversion.
Hardline Hindus accuse Christian priests of bribing poor tribes and low-caste Hindus to change their faith. Christian groups say lower-caste Hindus who convert do so willingly to escape the highly stratified and oppressive Hindu caste system.
Pope Benedict condemned the violence against Christians but also deplored the killing of the Hindu leader.
"While I firmly condemn every attack on human life, whose sacredness required respect by all, I express my spiritual closeness and solidarity to the brothers and sisters in the faith who are so sorely tried," he told pilgrims and tourists in the Vatican City.
RELIGIOUS TURF WAR?
India's constitution is secular, but most of its billion-plus citizens are Hindu. About 2.5 percent of Indians are Christians.
But around the Kandhamal area, home to around 650,000 people, more than 20 percent of the mainly tribal inhabitants are Christian converts.
Orissa police inspector general Pradeep Kapoor said sporadic violence was being reported from the state's other districts such as Baragarh, Bolangir, Raigada and Gajapati.
Violence erupted after armed men killed the Hindu leader linked to the main opposition Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and four others last week.
Police blamed the killings on local Maoist rebels taking sides in a controversy over religious conversions, but Hindus say Christians were to blame.
The worst violence was reported from Kandhamal's Barakhama village on Tuesday, where Hindus and Christians clashed and shot at each other, killing four people. That toll could rise as police look for more bodies and clear out burnt debris.
A top body of Indian bishops said some 25,000 Catholic schools and colleges in India would be closed on Friday in protest against the killings.
There have been attacks on Christians in other parts of Orissa and India as well in previous years. In 1999, a Hindu mob killed Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two children by burning them in their car in Orissa.
(Writing by Krittivas Mukherjee; Editing by Alistair Scrutton and Alex Richardson)




KANDHAMAL, Orissa - Violence re-erupted within the Indian state of Orissa. The attacks performed by Hindu extremist groups are just one link in a long chain of events that have continued to strain Hindu-Christian relations within the state.
The attacks were triggered by the killing of a prominent Hindu leader this past weekend. On Saturday, August 23, Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati along with five other people was shot dead in his Jalaspeta Ashram near Tumudibandha (Kandhamal District, Orissa). A Naxalite group has claimed the responsibility saying that he devided people on the basis of religion and ethnicity. The Swami was 84 years old and was especially known for violently opposing cow slaughter and conversion. He opposed the extreme naxalite group. He is also believed to have orchestrated the Christmas 2007 riot against Christians in the Kandhamal district of Orissa which has left thousands of Christians homeless to this day. Since the December attacks Hindu-Christian relations have remained tense within Kandhamal. In retaliation for the August 23rd killings the VHP and its allied political families called for a bandh (road blockade) for the 25th of August. In the meantime a judicial enquiry is ordered into the incident, though many opposition parties have called for the resignation of Naveen Patnaik’s for failing to maintain law and order.
In retaliation for the Swami’s death, the extremist wing of the VHP has engaged in a series of attacks against Christians which started on 23rd and are expected to continue.
On 23rd evening immediately after the news of murder of Swami Laxmanada Saraswati spread in the district, two sisters of Precious Blood congregation at Kothaguda who were on their way to Berhampur were stopped near G. Udayagiri, pulled out from the vehicle. Vehicle was then set on fire and the driven was severely beaten up. Almost at the same time a vehicle carrying HM sisters near Ainthapally in Sambalpur, a prayer chapel at Tentuliapadar in Sundargarh was also burned and destroyed. With these incidents, the stories of violence, abuse and attacks continue with several churches, church institutions, priests, Nuns, Christian people and their houses being attacked, abused, ransacked, and torched.
As the impact of the news started getting visible across the state, government got into action by announcing prohibitory orders (144 Section) in Kandhamal district. This was also a preparatory action by the state government ahead of the 12-hour bandh called by the VHP and other affiliates of the Sangh Parivar on 25th august to protest the killing.
On Sunday morning August 24 2008, prayers in many churches were disrupted with very few participants attending the mass fearing attacks.
From the same day attacks in Kandhamal district intensified. It was the turn of Janvikas office like many other offices which were burnt to ashes during the violence in December 2007. Jan Vikas is a social wing of the Archdiocese of Cuttack Bhubaneswar and works towards empowerment of the most marginalised in the districts. A mob attacked, ransacked the office and set fire burning down three four wheelers, six motor cycles, all the important records and documentation of the organisation and office equipment. This incident took place at 5.30 in the evening.
After this, the mob continued their assaults at Divya Jyoti Pastoral Centre by gutting, burning and looting the same at about 6 p.m. The same group entered the Baliguda presbytery, convent and hostel damaging the properties.
In similar attacks, the Roman Catholic Church at Kanjamedi was attacked and vandalized at 6.30 p.m. The Diocesan Church at Kanjamedi was ransacked and other three Pentecostals churches were destroyed in the same way at 6.45 p.m. by the same group. In the late evening, about 12 Dalit Christian shops were burnt to ashes in Raikia.
On 25th August 2008 as the Bandh lead to many protests, rastha rokos, tyre burning etc., the following incidents of violence shook the whole state and the Christian community. At 7.00 a.m, Phulbani Church and presbytery were vandalized and ransacked. Srasanda MC Brother’s residence was attacked and the patients who came there to get treatment were beaten up and the VHP activists continued to burn houses and household articles of Christian families in the area. Eight houses were completely destroyed in this incident.
On the same day at 10.30 a.m houses of Christian families in Christiansahi in Balliguda were destroyed and ransacked. The details of damage and the numbers are not available as yet. In a similar incident houses in Nuasahi were set on fire destroying the whole street where Christian families lived. This incident took place at 11.30 a.m.
Two boys studying in the church run hostel were caught in Baliguda and their heads were tonsured.
In the afternoon at about 1.00 P.M, Mr. Jamaj Parichha’s house was attacked and his vehicles were set ablaze, doors were cut into pieces and he was beaten up by the mob. He sustained severe head injury and is hospitalised (place is not disclosed because of the security reasons). It is said that he is one of the primary targets of the hindutva forces in the area. His wife being a Hindu pleaded the mob to spare him and even showed that she practices Hinduism but they showed no mercy continued beating him up and said “he is a Christian and we will kill him”.
As this incident happened, houses of the staffs of Jan Vikas (Diocesan organisation under the Arch Diocese of Cuttack- Bhubaneswar) were also burnt. Five staffs are directly affected by this violence and all of them fled their villages and went into hiding.
In a very similar way, at 2 p.m. the house of Mr. Puren Nayak resident of Bhudansahi was attacked and burnt into ashes. All his assets were removed from the house and were set on fire in a pile. . As the violence continued in the village, mob ransacked the Christian houses burnt all their belongings. The women (Hindu) in the community were identifying the houses to be burnt down as the mob followed their instructions. Women also supplied kerosene to encourage the mob.
We will observe that in such incidents of burning and ransacking, the strategy used by the mob is very similar. The household articles and assets are brought outside the house and are set on fire. This is because under Indian Penal code section 436, the person/persons involved in burning the house are punishable with 7 years+ of rigorous imprisonment and this falls under the category of a non bailable offence. And when the assets/belonging are brought outside the house and burnt, it’s a bailable offense and the punishment is limited to 6 months to one year of imprisonment. This offense falls under IPC 435.
Fr. Challan, Director of Pastoral centre, Kanjamendi and Sr. Meena, administrator of the centre which was burnt and ransacked on 24th escaped from the centre to hide in Mr. Jashawanta Pradhan’s house. On 25th, mob having the information about this forcefully entered the house dragging both of them outside. They were beaten up badly and taken to the police fundi (smaller unit of police station) in the area. It is reported that they were tied up in the fundi and were threatened of being burnt alive. There is no update about their condition since then.
Paul Pradhan who heads an NGO in the district and works for the rights of dalits and adivasis was also attacked in his house, office was destroyed completely.
It is also reported that most of the Christian houses in Tikkabali block were attacked and set fire. Numbers are still unknown.
One person called Vikram Nayak was cut into pieces at Tiagian under G Udaygiri police station. Other two sustained injuries while no medication facilities have been made available and it is reported that both two persons were died. In Tiangia village under the same police station limits, houses of Christian families were set on fire and people have fled to jungle. It was reported that the miscreants have been following them and were attacking.
On 25th late night, Sankrakhol Parish church and presbytery were set fire and ransacked, the parish priest Fr. Alexandar Chandi left to the nearest forest and he was saved. It is reported that his most of the assets are set fire and church is completely destroyed.
Fr. Bernard Digal who had gone to visit Fr. Alexandar Chandi was held up in Sankrakhol parish when the mob attacked the church. His Marshal Jeep was set fire. While narrating the incident Fr.Bernard said that when the mob enters the church premise they left to the forest and hid themselves. They were safe but the vehicle was set fire. He walked around 10.K.M to reach one of his relations house. As he was walking the attackers were use to see him but could not recognise.
On August 25 late night the Convent of St.Joseph’s at Sankrakhole was attacked and ransacked. Sisters also left to the forest and have saved their life.
On August 25 2008, Mr. Abenswar Digal’s house is set fire, under Tikabali Police station.
On August 25 2008, at bout 11.00 p.m 23 houses of Gumagarh, under Bisipadsad Police station were attacked and ransacked.
In Raikia, attacks are on as of 11.30 p.m. and the nature of damage is yet to be known. As per the first information report reveals that on 25th August late evening at Raikia 17 Christian houses were ransacked. Most of the house articles and assets were removed from the house and gather outside and set fire. As per the first hand report the victims identified were Mr. Bijay Parichha, Mr. R.K.Nayak, Mr. Joseph Nayak, Mr. Susant Dal Behera, Mr. Santosh Nayak, Mr. Santun Nayak, Mr. Harihar Das, Mr. Mosesh Nayak, Mr. Prakash Nayak, Mr. Raju Parichha and others.
On August 25 2008 late night the Ambasodar Vehicle of Mr. Sukant Nayak, Director Shahara (NGO), was set fire.
On August 25 2008 late night the Office of Karuna (NGO), under Raikia Police station were ransacked.
On 25th afternoon the Pentecostal church at Budamaha, under Raikia Polic station was vandalized and ransacked.
On August25 2008, Masadkia church was vandalized and ransacked.
On August 25 2008, two Pentecostal churches were vandalized and ransacked.
On August 25 2008, Pisermaha Church, under Raikia Police station was vandalized and ransacked.
On August 25 2008, Baptist church and R.C Church at Mondakia under Raikia Police station was vandalized and ransacked.
On August 25 2008, Mdahupanga Church, under Raikia Police station was vandalized and ransacked.
As the violence continues, most of the parish priests and sisters are still not reachable and their conditions are not known. The houses are being burnt in several places in Phulbani, Srasanada, Pobingia, Balliguda and Konjamendi.
In Bhubaneswar, the impact of the Bandh was also felt severely by people with most of the office being closed, shops stayed closed as well. Transportation was totally disrupted and tyres were burnt in many places across the city. There were huge rallies by the supporters of VHP and Bajrangdal on the main roads and junctions.
There were also some cases of attacks reported within the city and most of these attacks were on churches and church related institutions. From early morning of 25th onwards violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compound of Catholic Church and Archbishop’s house in the city with a view to attack. Policemen deployed at the scene disbursed the mob and stopped them from entering the campus. Angry mob threw stones at the guest house of Archbishop’s House, damaging some windows panes.
Another group of fundamentalists entered presbytery in Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged property. Two priests of the said parish Fr. Xavier and Fr. Simon are missing and their where about are yet to be found. Institutions like St. Arnold’s School (Kalinga Bihar); NISWASS have suffered some damages while one Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in the city was also damaged.
Situation seems to be very serious and worsening by every hour with violence being intensified. From across the districts, people are trying to flee to the safer places. But nothing seems be safe as of now. The violence can turn more intense as the people return after Swami’s cremation.
Other events that took place in Rayagada, Gajapati, Koraput and other south Orissa districts left Christians and Christian institutions throughout the state fearful. Father Obed Khura of Sunebeda received three threatening calls. While he approached the Sunebeda OIC, has was refused police protection and was sent back with assurance that the school he runs will not be attacked and was instructed to stay away from the school.
In Muniguda (closer to Tumudibandha, Rayagada district), as the mass was coming to an end two jeep loads of youth from the town entered the compound and started shouting slogans. The police arrived on time and prevented the situation from escalating. Three policemen have been deployed at the gate which has been destroyed. The Church and Convent at Muniguda could not be saved. Around 80 inmates under the leadership of Fr. Pius Ekka and Sr. Marina Chacko have taken refuge in the forest. This happened inspite of the fact that Fr. Marshal Mihir Upasi was constantly in touch with the State Control Office of the Orissa Police and the SP of Rayagada. The mob first torched the police Jeep in Muniguda and then proceeded to the Convent and Church. On the previous day (24th of August) the mob threatened the Fathers after Sunday Mass. The mob sought out the houses holding Christian families and managed to destroy some of them. As a consequence allowing refuge to families has placed others at risk.
As the mob moved on from Bhairaguda, 3 km away from Muniguda to seek shelter in a school while raining, the villagers from the hindu community fed them. This took place at 7.20 pm.
Expecting an attack Fr. Manickthan, Bhawanipatna asked for protection, the SP expressed his inability to do anything due to the size of the mob. When Father suggested the SP on announcing curfew in the area and stop the mob’s movement, the angry SP retorted saying that Fr. need not give orders to him. Later in the forenoon both the ADM and the SP visited the Church compound and inspected the law and order situation. The Malankara hostel was attacked in Bhawanipatna, not far from the Catholic Church, and many children have been badly hurt.
Missionaries of Charity from Dharmagarh, unaware of the events from the previous night, were travelling to Bhawanipatna for Sunday Mass. Near the jail in Bhawanipatna town their ambulance was intercepted and pelted with stones. All the sisters sustained minor injuries from the stones and broken glass. The police arrived and sent them back in the same damaged vehicle to Dharmagarh. Sr. Suma and Sr. Nirmala have been informed of this and the district administration has assured them of protection.
A group of police are guarding the Church in Jeypore after the threat of oncoming attacks. The police informed Fr. Bimol Nayak that some 200 people are preparing to attack the Church. Fr. Bimol Nayak and another Brother have taken shelter with nearby friends. Around 24 policemen are guarding the church compound in Mohana after road blocks started on Sunday evening. Additionally, a group of 9 police men are safeguarding the Church in Goudogotho and the Cathedral.
It is also reported that the Lutheran Church in Malkangiri, Padua, and Gunupur were destroyed. Fathers and Sisters along with the children in Gumuda have left the mission stations fearing attacks. On the 24th as the Congregation was coming out of the Church in Malkangiri, a group of angry youth harassed them and forced them to recite Bande Mataram. 22 Christian Families of Shanti Nagar (Givindapur) at the foothill of Taptapani Hot Spring were also assaulted and forced to leave the village.
In Boudh also, a group of protestors entered the parish and destroyed things and property. Communal tension was high also in other districts across the state with several incidents of attacks against the people as well as property. In Balasore, Balsore Social Service Society (official social wing of the Balasore diocese) was attacked three times during the day on 25th august. The mob shouting slogans broke all the window panes and destroyed a statue of Mother Mary which was installed in the BSSS office campus. Badrak also had few incidents of attacks but the details are not known.
Hindu protestors attacked Jyoti Niketan of Baipariguda in Koraput district in the afternoon of 25th August. Father Joy Areeckal had to run into the forest and the hostel children and his social workers are subjected to insults and intimidation. The Mission has been destroyed along with all that it contained. A sad twist to the story is that the police along with the people seized wooden planks in spite of the fact that the carpenters who are building a new hostel building in the campus there claimed that it was bought by them. Consequently, a criminal case may be filed against Fr. Areeckal under the Forest Act.
Mr. Routo Desinayak and Ms. Kalyani, who works for an agro-entrepreneurship program for SWAD at Boipariguda were also arrested under the forest protection act. Though the Police Officer and the Block Development Officer was not willing, the mob forced the police to tie Mr. Desinayak with a rope and drag him through the street up to the Forest Office. Miss Kalyani being a woman was spared of this ordeal.
In Govindapally, close to Boipariguda, protestors entered the Convent and damaged the grotto of Our Lady and the Cross of the Church yard. In the same district Fathers and Sisters in Koraput, Jeypore and Semiliguda are in hiding.
In Bargarh district, a mob of about 2000 people went around ransacking many church institutions and there were serious attacks on priests and nuns. In Padampur, Fr. Edward Sequira was attacked and was beaten up brutally. He survived with serious head injury and still unconscious. “His life is under critical still” said Fr. Alphonse Toppo, Vicar Gerneral of Sambalpur diocese. The institution which caters to children affected by Leprosy was attacked and burnt. While the institution burnt to ashes, along with it also burnt was the auxiliary nurse Rajani Majhi 20 year old, who took care of the children in the institute and was studying in Padampur Women’s College.
Sundargarh also saw many such incidents of church burning and attacks on church properties damages are yet to be ascertained.
In Sambalpur district, Hand Maid Sister’s residence of Ainthapalli has suffered damage while priests are given warnings of attacks in Madhupur, Badibahal area. Stone pelting and breaking of window panes of churches and related institutions was a common scene across the state.
A Roman Catholic cemetery was damaged by an irate mob in Sambalpur town. The mob also pelted the stones at the Oriya Baptist Church near G.M College. Burning of motorbike belonging to a pastor Pravakar Munna, ransacking of a prayer house in Chiplima and attempt to attack a mission institution were also reported.
In continuation to all this violence across the state, Dibyasingh Pariccha, PRO and Secretary, Justice and Peace Commission (Arch diocese of Cuttack Bhubaneswar) has condemned the killing of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and appealed for a CBI enquiry into the incident. He requested that culprits responsible for the incident be punished instead of attacking the whole Christian community.
He appealed to the government to deploy adequate forces to safeguard life and property of Christian people.
On 26th August 2008, at bout 11.30 a.m the mob is attacking at Badimunda Village, under Tikabali police station in Kandhamal District. It is repoted Roman Catholic Church and 5 individual houses were set fire.
It is reported that people are suffering from with out food, cloth and shelter. Last night, there was heavy rain and people were in the forest with the wet cloth. However, the condition of the children and women were indescribable. School children are deprived of their studies.Kindly pray for us so that peace and harmony may return soon. Thank you very much for your solidarity.
EndDibkar Parichha

Brown's Daily Word 8-27-08

Dear Praying Friends,

I praise the Lord for you and for your faithfulness. Thank you for your concern and compassion for the suffering Christians of Orissa, India. I spoke to some of the church leaders there yesterday and they shared with me they do not have weapons but they have the Lord on their side. I'm including an official composite report detailing the crimes committed against the Christians there. I talked with some of my family members yesterday and found out a young Christian leader was burned to death, near the village where I grew up. He was one of my students when I was a teacher. His name was Matthew Naik, but they called him Gulu. He was married and had two children and was a teacher. He was one of the worship leaders in the services held during my most recent visit there. Gulu was visiting some churches last Saturday and a Hindu leader had been gunned down by a Maoist terrorist the day before, on Friday. The Hindus have blamed the Christians for the death of their leader, which has led to the eruption of violence against the Christians. While attempting to come home on his motorbike, Gulu was burned to death when the Hindus poured on him gasoline, which had been siphoned from Gulu's motorbike, and set him on fire. You can find his name in the list of the deceased in the letter below.

My mom and niece and nephew have left our house and are staying in an unknown location. The children from the children's homes have left the home. Some fled to the jungle, even sleeping in a neighboring coffee plantation. Many of the Christian leaders have left their homes, fleeing to the jungle. In the midst of this, we praise the Lord for His glory and honor. Somehow He's going to use this tragedy to show forth His triumph and His victory. "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."

Home / blogs / Dr. Sajan's blog / 1000+ rioters are marching to an Orissa villages -GCIC appeals to PM
105. The rioters from Sangh Parivar numbering more than 1000 are proceeding towards Raikola, Khariapada and Raikoli of G. Udyagiri Christian villages to burnt them down right now. No Police force available for protection (report at 5pm on 27th August)Global Council of Indian Christians
P.B. No. 517, Frazer Town, Bangalore – 560 005 E-mail: freedomcouncil@gmail.com Web: www.persecution.in27th August 2008MemorandumHIS EXCELLENCYTHE HON’BLE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA
President of GCIC requests Your Excellency’s immediate intervention to protect precious life, property & fundamental rights of Minority Christians in Kandhamal District & the State of Orissa
We are pained and shocked at the senseless killings and violence against the Christians all over the State of Orissa. While the Christian leaders have condemned the heinous crime perpetrated on Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and his associates in the Ashram at Kandhamal District, Orissa, the killings and atrocities against Christians are the evil designs of the fanatic fundamentalists. They are still continuing the violence and the State Government have failed to protect the innocent victims, the Christians. Over 4000 men, women, young and old living in the forest without food for the past 3 days. The radicals have already blocked the roads leading to Baliguda ,a village with large number of Christian population , 75 kms away from Raikia police station for ‘eliminating ‘Christians .
The Christians in the State are living in tension and fear. The law and order is not at their rescue and they are living in pathetic conditions for the last forty hours. The houses, churches and prayer halls have to be rebuilt and faith restored in the hearts of innocent Christians. This is the greatest disaster in the history of a civilized society and more so in Orissa.We fear replication of Orissa model attacks in Davangere district of Karnataka.. The authorities and the radicals claim that they have the full endorsement is in place for replacing symbols Christianity in the believers home with Hindu gods and goddesses .People of non Hindu faith were asked to leave seventeen villages of Davengere in 48 hours unless they accept HinduismWe appeal to your good self to direct the Karnataka state government to also to uphold the constitutional propriety(Raja Dharma) for a vibrant democratic Indian UnionLong Live Indian Democratic Republic
1. Number of DeathKandhamal District -12 II. Number of major attacks during the pastBarakhama 6Tiangia 2 (2 seriously injured) 72 hours in Orissa 114Petapanga 1 (Raikia) III. Number of attacks against Christians last7 months in Karnataka is 51Tikaballi 1Bodimunda 1Bakingia 1Bargard District- 1Padanpur 1(Kantapali)Five More unconfirmed deaths in Kandhamal
Dr. Sajan K George (National President)Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC)
Affiliated : Economic and Social Forum of the United Nations
LIST OF ATTACKS SO FAR COLLECTED BY GLOBAL COUNCIL OF INDIAN CHRISTIANS)GCIC)The List of Christians murdered Yesterday and this morning are;1.Ajuba Naik - Barakhama, Kandhamal2.Prafulla Nayak - Barakhama, Kandhamal3. Meri Digal - Barakhama, KandhamalOther names are not yet reported. 5 Christians at Barakhama were shot dead and Meri Digal was bombed. Other casualties are in the hospitals.4. Ramesh Ch. Digal - Budamaha, Kandhamal5. Trinath Digal - Tiangia, kandhamal6. A school teacher namely Gulu - Kanbagiri, Kandhamal7. One man name not known - Phiringia, Kandhamal8. One man name not known - Parlakhemundi________________________________________1. (25-08-08) Kandhamal Dist. Yesterday at 0430 to 0500 PM, around 1000 perpetrators of Sangh parivar chased and killed 4 Christians by dagger and sword on the road whose names are ; Bikram Naik(38), Dasaratha Pradhan(38), Surendra Naik (40) and another Christian brother whose name is still not reported. The deceased were trying to protect their Church when the radicals tried to fire it. Tiangia village2. (25-08-08) Rev. Prakash Naik's prayer house at Raikia is burnt Yesterday. Raikia3. (25-08-08) In Mandakia, Batingia villages the whole Christian Colony are bombed and destroyed this morning. In Raikia MP Dr. R.K.Nayak's house, Joy Mandal, Bro. Das, Santosh Naik and Santanu's houses are destroyed on bombing Yesterday at 10 PM Mandakia4. (25-08-08) In many places till now when there is no police guard, the mob is furiously moving from one Christian village to another in G. Udayagiri area right now and damaging the Christian properties. Bodimunda, Gadhaguda, Telingia, Sukananda, Gracingia, Nuasahi,Kurmingia, Mallickpadi village of G. Udayagiri are under their attack right now5. (25-08-08) Pastor Khyamasila Bagh of Rudaangia of Raikia has been severely attacked and all his houses are damaged today. Rudaangia6. (25-08-08) Many Christians in (1000 +)nos. in Phiringia are fled to the forest to save their lives but there they are under starvation now. Kandhamal7. (25-08-08) In Jeypur, Koraput 2 Churches of Pastor Choudhury have been burnt by the radicals Yesterday. In Baipariguda, Koraput A Christian social welfare institute called "SEARCH" where 150 orphans were staying, are totally ransacked Yesterday ad the Father in charge is severely beaten by them. All Christian houses and properties of the Christians at Narayanapatna, Koraput are completely destroyed Yesterday by the Bajrangies Koraput8. (25-08-08) Believers Church (FA) Missionary Birendra Harijan(29) and his wife was kidnapped by the Bajrangies at Naka Pola, Dharmashala, Jajpur Dist Yesterday Night after having tortured and beaten. Dharmashala9. (25-08-08) One Christian have been burnt alive along with the complete Christian colony set onto fire Yesterday night by the Hindu extremists at Papadhandi village of Nawarangapur Dist. Nawarangapur10. (25-08-08) Loyola School at Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar is attacked & damaged Yesterday. Bhubaneswar11. (25-08-08) The name of the lady staff carataker at Missionary Orphan Center at Khuntapalli, Padampur, Bargarh burnt alive is Rajani Majhi (29). Padampur,Bargarh.12.In Balliguda at Divyo Jyoti Catholic Center at Kanjamindi, A Sister namely Mina Barua has been gang raped publicly and Father Thomas after he was beaten seriously, made naked also publicly and Petrol was put over him to burn him alive through matches by the perpetrators but it was not firing due to rain in the mean time, Police arrived and rescued both of them. Baliguda13 A village called Khuntipalli in an Orphanage at about 1230 Noon, radicals entered, ransacked and set fire to the same today where 22 orphan students were staying with a Hindu lady Caretaker naely Rajani Majhi. Around 10 students fled to the nearby forest to save their lives. Bargarh Dist14. Other 12 students have received burnt injuries and are admitted into the hospital at Bargarh town. But the Sister Rajami Majhi was locked by the radicals inside the kitchen and she was burnt alive there by the perpetrators. Bargarh Dist15. Two Christians namely Jaka Naik (35) and Gapana Nayak (42) were killed in Budamaha village of Raikia. Their body is lying near Abasi Kupa road for the last 24 hours. From Budamaha village 400 Christians fled to the forest. Raikia16. Lambar Pradhan of St. Pauls Orphanage, Kalhandi Mission, Udhitnagar was seriously injured in the attack Kalhandi17. Dahalathadi Baliguda block 3 houses and Church burnt Baliguda18 Bhagamunda 7 houses destroyed BhagamundaSl. No. Incident Place19. A Christian Nun was reported burnt alive by a group of Vishwa Hindu Parishad mob which stormed the orphanage she ran in the district of Bargarh (Orissa). Police Superintendent Ashok Biswall has told this to news reporters. A priest who was at the orphanage was also badly hurt and is now being treated in hospital for multiple burns. Bargarh20. A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese working Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed Nuagaon21. Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a disheveled state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was then set afire.Kanjimendi22. On 24th August 2008 evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24th and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent and hostel damaging the 300 properties over 1500 Christians fled to the forest for safety. Baliguda23. The mobs caught hold of two boys of the Catholic hostel and tonsured their heads. Baliguda24. 25th morning followers of the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in Phulbani, the district headquarter town. Phulbani25. Mobs attacked the Mother Teresa Brothers' residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients. Fundamentalists have targeted Priests, religious and also the Faithful in Pobingia also. Srasanda/Pobingia26. This morning violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of Catholic Church and Archbishop's house in the heart of the Capital of the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police presence. They threw stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop's House, damaging windows.Bhubaneswar27. Another group of fundamentalists entered presbyteryin Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged property. Two priests of the parish are missing Duburi Parish28. Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and his property, vehicle etc. damaged, burnt and looted.
29. A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged. Bhubaneswar30. Christian institutions like St. Arnold's School (Kalinga Bihar),AND NISWASS report some damage Kalinga31. Boudh (Adjoining Kandhamal): Fundamentalists enter the Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to safer places. But nothing seems safe Boudh dist32. Catholic Fathers and Nuns' residence have been damaged. Muniguda33. HM Sister's residence (Ainthapalli) has suffereddamage. Sambalpur34. One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital. Padanpur35. Catholic Church currently under attack. Madhupur36. Small Churches: Attempted violence on small churches in various districts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera, Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tangrapada, Phulbani, Kalingia, Tumudibandha, Raikia, Balliguda, Nuagaon, Phiringia, Khajuripara, Tikabali, G. Udayagiri, Chakapada, Daringbadi and many other areas of Kandhamal District are extremely volatile.37. Houses attacked on forest hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia (G.Udayagiri), Padangiri, Tikabali.38. Houses burnt even though the district is more than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was killed. Kalahandi Dist.39. Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his house burnt Bhawanipatna40. 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up Kharihar41. Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their families. Aampani42.Mob surrounds village to attack Christians. The government has sent forces, it is reported. Naktikani43. Bikram Digal and Willium Digal –two believers have been detained by the Nuagaon Police. Radicals have planed knives and black masks (Naxalite gear) on them and dragged them to the police Nuagaon44.Regional Superior Sister Suma of Congregation of Missionaries of Charities said thatMC sister of were going to participate Sunday mass, on their way to the parish they were blocked on the way and some of the youth who were protesting through stones to the vehicle, the glasses of the vehicle broken, they were also protected by the public and sent back to the convent. They are safe and no injury caused them. Dharmgard45. 10 Shops belonging to Christians ransacked and destroyed Raikia46. 25 Christian houses burnt at Rupagaon, Christians flee into the forest to save their lives Rupagaon47. Christians shops burnt Paburia48. Churches razed to the ground at Adaskupa and Sulesaru Churches49. Christians are hiding in the forests, the trauma of the Dec '07 riots are being relived. The Women and children are starving there without food and water. Armed Radicals roaming on the village roads50. Benagaberi village Church and believers houses are burnt Benagaberi51. Amlapada street, the radicals are destroying the Christian houses. Bro Arup Jena, Journalist PTI's Mobike has been burnt along with few others in the neighboring houses in the mid night. Phulbani52. Church and Christian houses have been destroyed this morning. Danguli's village53. Church and Day Care Center have been burnt this morning. Lahabadi54. Rashimundi Church burnt this morning.55. Christian houses completely destroyed this morning. Keredi village56. Church and Pastor's house destroyed this morning. Kambaguda57. Tengeda padar village Church and Christian houses totally destroyed at midnight Tikabali58. JEL Church and two nearby prayer houses at Talsara, Tentulipada, Sundergarh have been burnt few hours just after the death of Swamiji. Dumerguda59. At Chiplima, Pastor S.P. Muna has been severely beaten in the midnight and his Moike has been burnt. Sambalpur60. Mission India slum Churches were attacked from this morning and the radicals were trying to destroy and on report61. (24-08-08) One man, a handicapped believer namely Rasananda Pradhan at Rupa gaon, was burnt alive. He could not run to the forest when others rushed and saved their lives. As his two legs doesn't function, he could not run and save himself when radicals out of rampage set ablaze that whole village and 25 huts Christians houses together last midnight Kandhamal62. (24-08-08) The radicals Hindu completely burnt two Churches called JEL Church and Fellowship Church. Narayanapatna63. (24-08-08) The VHP radicals in 1000 nos. have created havock today Koraput64. (24-08-08) They have forcefully detained the Pastor of the JEL Church Bro. Prabhudan Pangi (76) in captive in a locked room after firing the Church and beating him very badly with some injuries. Beside that all properties of the local Christians they found there like their vehicles, cycles etc are burnt by the radicals today.65. (24-08-08) Houses of Adv. Pravat Kumar Bidika and his brother Bhaskar Bidika have completely demolished by the Sangh Parivar radicals. Narayanapatna.66. In Bariniput, Kaligaon and Dhanpur villages 3 Churches are on fire. The believers houses are looted there. Koraput67. Mission School is also ransacked by the same radicals today. Bramhani gaon68. More than 11 nos of the Christian houses are completely ransacked and two Pastor's houses were also burnt today. Phulbani69. This afternoon a Christian leader Ananda Pradhan's house was totally ransacked along with the Christian Nua Sahi was also destroyed. All the Christian houses and Churches at Balliguda are destroyed by the radicals so far. Baliguda70. The condition of the small Christian children during these rainy and dreadful days who are hiding are very precarious since Yesterday71. In Mandakia village of Raikia, rampant damage has been done by the perpetrators to all the Christian families living there including which Kabita's native house is also there.72. Tormentors are ransacking and destroying their Church and houses right now. Close to that in a forest, many small children along with their mothers and parents from Christian families are hiding since Yesterday to save their lives without food and water. Among them one pregnant sister is there whose time is just approaching and they are crying before me over a mobile to rescue them from that situation. They have not carried any clothes even when they hurriedly ran away to the forest Baiballi village73. It is also reported that some riot expert executors of BHP and VHP are coming from Gujrat to Kandhamal to give it a final shape up to their satisfaction of completely smashing, destroying, ousting and killing the Christians there. Kandhamal74. In the remote villages like Tiangia, Patangi of G. Udayagiri and many more where there is no Police force Tormentors are destroying and burning the Christians properties house by house right now. Situation tonight will be worst as reported. G. Udayagiri75. The radicals had attacked the Pastor of Chiplima Church of Sambalpur Dist. and had burnt his mobike. Today they went back there and destroyed the same Church. Sambalpur76. Bagibahal village Church at Deogarh Dist. has been burnt today. Deogarh77. Main Baptist Church has been attacked and stoned today. Sambalpur78. Kalinga Nagar, Jajpur Dist. Catholic Church has been ransacked today.79. A small Believers Church at BDA, Chandrasekharpur, Siyon Sramika Slum at Bhubaneswar is ransacked today. The Christian families staying in the slum are threatened to bombed tonight. Bhubaneswar80. Catholic Church of Bhubaneswar has been attacked and stoned twice during Bandh time today. Radicals were trying to enter by force but Police guards checked them. Satyanagar
81. IPC Faith Home Church at VSS Nagar, Bhubaneswar was stoned and front door damaged by the radicals today. Bhubaneswar82. Actions Ministries State Coordinator Rev. Sangram Singh's rented house was ransacked today in his absence and his official papers and Christian literatures were burnt out side the house. His Hindu Landlord has been threatened to remove him soon from his house otherwise they will demolish the said house.83. Congress Party during the course o Assembly session, has brought No Confidence motion against the BJD-BJP Govt. today. The CM is busy to clear that in their favor tomorrow hence not giving any appointment to discuss with him any more about the present situation getting to worst.84. NISWASS, the institute of M.P. Dr. Radhakanta Nayak has been totally severely ransacked. Xavier Institute has also been partially damaged in Bhubaneswar today by the Sangh Parivar extremists. Bhubaneswar85. An Independent Church in a slum behind May fair Hotel has been burnt by the radicals today.86. Few Missnaries in Simar village, Baghamari of Nayagarh Dist. are hiding at present as they have been chased by the radicals to be killed.87. The AG Pastor Pratyush Kumar Barik's rented house Church has been ransacked. The Land lord has been cautioned by the radicals to remove this Pastor's family at once. Many house Church Fellowships in Jagatsinghpur Dist. have been attacked and ransacked. Jagatsinghpur88. Mission India Missionary Matthew Lima (28) at Jaraka Mission Field o Jajpur Dist. has been severely beaten in front of his wife by the Bajrangis this evening by 0530 to 0630PM. Finally they took them saying that they are taking him to the Police Station but ultimately it was found out that he has been kidnapped89. Father Edward Seqira of Padampur Catholic Church, Deogarh Dist. has been brutally beaten and injured, admitted into local hospital, Doctor has referred him to Burla medical college due to the seriousness of the wounds. There is nobody with him to attend and take him there now. Deogarh90. In Narla of Kalahandi Dist, a Christian Pastor called Lalit Pattnaik has been severely beaten up and his house ransacked today. Alok Christian, an Evangelist has fled to the forest to save his life. Kalahandi91. William Carey School of Dr. S.N. Patro at Janla, Khurda has been attacked this afternoon. Partially damaged and 2 school Buses are also damaged by 20 Nos. of radicals today. Janla92. In Govindapally, close to Boipariguda, protestors entered the Convent and damaged the grotto of Our Lady and the Cross of the Church yard. In the same district Fathers and Sisters in Koraput, Jeypore and Semiliguda are in hiding.Govindapally93. (26-08-08) Dr. Prabin Togadia stated before a Press Conference that VHP (world Hindu Council) will organize Anti Conversion /Christian Rallies throughout Orissa.94. (26-08-08) Another JEL Church at Panasa pada, Sundergarh was burnt at 0400PM today. Radicals are planning and have threatened to destroy the main Church there tonight. Panasa Pada95. (26-08-08) At present firing is going on at Barakhama in which around 6 persons are died already and 20 are injured as per Govt. report. But at actual the casualties are expected to be more. Barakhama is totally cut off from all other corners in all means. Barakhama96. (26-08-08) A Seventh Day Pastor namely Samuel Nayak (45) at Bakingia village of Raikia block at about 0230 PM today, stood in between and did not allow around 500 radicals to enter into his Church to damage it. Then they cut his throat by a dagger and he died on the spot and after that they destroyed the Church. Raikia97. (26-08-08) Pastor Akbar Digal(45) at Totomaha, Raikia has also been killed at sight today afternoon Raikia98. (26-08-08) A non Christian called Sidheswar Digal is killed by the radicals also during this afternoon at Sulesaru village for the reason of giving shelter to his own Christian son in law in his house. Sulesaru, Kandhamal.
99. In Pandarani village of Loinsingha PS of Bolangir Dist, at 5 PM Yesterday Sangh Parivar radicals completely destroyed the church there.100. In Manahira village of Bolangir Dist. the Church was totally burnt by them Yesterday evening.101. Chichida village Church at Bargarh Dist. is burnt by the extremists. Madhupur and Sohela area of Bargarh Dist. Christians properties are totally damaged by the radicals Yesterday.102. A Catholic Church at Sankarakhole, Kandhamal is destroyed.102.Badimunda Christian village at G. Udayagiri, Kandhamal is totally burnt Yesterday.103. Breka Christian village near Tikaballi is being fired just now taday.104. In Dodingia Christian village close to Balliguda, just now the Hindu Extremists are destroying and firing the christian properties. No Police force is there protect the Christians there.
105. The rioters in 1000 nos are proceeding towards Raikola, Khariapada and Raikoli of G. Udyagiri Christian villages to burnt them down right now. No Police force available for protection
posted in: Current Issue, Persecution, East India

Brown's Daily Word 8-26-08

Dear Friends,
Thank you for praying for Orissa. Just this morning I spoke with family members there. Things have been getting worse by the hour. Militant Hindu mobs are going out by the thousands to Christian homes, looting, burning, and killing. Christians have fled into the mountains. About 14 miles from where my mom lives, 6 Christians have been hacked to death, and families are too afraid to retrieve the bodies. Ten homes belonging to my relatives have been burned down.
Though there is a small police presence here and there, they have been turning a blind eye toward the situation. Even if the police wanted to get to the scene they could not, because boulders have been placed across the roads, making barriers. The entire situation is one of chaos, confusion, and lawlessness. The pro-Hindu government has remained silent in all of this. We are trying to get through to the Indian embassy in Washington, DC to apprise them of the situation.
I will be forwarding to you a composite report excerpted from news briefs. Please take the time to forward them to your local newspapers. I am also giving you a link to the Persecuted Christians of Orissa, India blog.
Thank you for praying, caring, and sharing.
Brown
" Revelation 12: 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time."

Dear Friends,
I am forwarding a c

Monday, August 25, 2008

CNN IBN Coverage of Orissa
Posted by Christian Persecution India

AFTERMATH OF SWAMI'S KILLING : THE CHRISTIAN VICTIMS LIST
EFI NEWS
1) NUN BURNT ALIVE: A nun was burnt to death on 25th, Monday, after an orphanage was torched in at Phutpali in Bargarh district in Orissa during a bandh called by Hindu nationalist parties.Twenty children, who were at the orphanage, managed to escape but a priest suffered serious burn injuries in the attack. 2) RASANANDA PRADHAN TORCHED ALIVE: Another person, Rasananda Pradhan, was burnt to death when his house was set ablaze at Rupa village in Kandhamal district. 3) INFLAMMATORY SPEECHES TARGET CHRISTIANS: During the bandh inflammatory speeches spreading hatred against the Christian workers and the community were given by the VHP leaders. To gain the mass support,the activists have also carried the body of Swamiji throughout the town. 4) CHURCHES BURNT ALL ACROSS ORISSA STATE: Churches were attacked in Khurda, Bargarh, Sundergarh, Sambalpur, Koraput, Boudh, Mayurbhanj, Jagatsinghpur and Kandhamal districts as also in the state capital, police sources said, adding 40 houses were set ablaze in Phulbani town. 5) BUSES AND VEHICLES TORCHED: Mr. Mishra Digal was beaten up, while the motorcycles of Mr. R. K. Digal and Jitendra were burnt. Several buses at Gee Udaigiri in Baliguda were burnt. 6) PULBANI CHURCH RANSACKED: The Church at Phulbani,and several other churches at Phiringia were attacked and ransacked. Pastor D. Tatson's house was vandalized and his property burnt. 7) KAKRIGUMA CHURCHES VANDALISED: Churches in Kakriguma have been targeted by the mob that reportedly damaged the Assembly Of God Church and the Philadelphia Church. 8) WORLD VISION STAFF FLED FOR SAFETY: World Vision India office ransacked and the Staff has also fled to jungle for protection. 9) CHRISTIANS TAKE SHELTER IN FOREST FOR PROTECTION: A police camp at Barakhama was also attacked by the Hindu fundamentalists. With several houses being burnt down and people being made homeless, many Christians,particularly from Nua Sahi, Munda Sahi and Suna Tonga have fled into forests for their lives. 10) NUN RAPED: A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese working Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed. 11) SENIOR PRIEST AND NUN INJURED: Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a disheveled state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was then set afire. 12) BALLIGUDA CHURCH BUILDINGS DESTROYED AGAIN: On 24th August 2008 evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24th and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent and hostel damaging the properties. 13) CHRISTIAN BOYS HEADS TONSURED: The mobs in Balliguda caught hold of two boys of the Catholic hostel and tonsured their heads. 14) PHULBANI CHURCH DAMAGED: On 25th august 2008 morning followers of the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in Phulbani, the district headquarter town. 15) MOTHER TERESA BROTHERS ASHRAM ATTACKED: Mobs attacked the Mother Teresa Brothers' residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients. 16) BHUBANESWAR BISHOP'S HOUSE ATTACKED: On the morning of 25th August 2008, violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of Catholic Church and Archbishop's house in the heart of the Capital of the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police presence. They threw stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop's House, damaging windows. 17) DUBURI PARISH: Another group of fundamentalists entered presbytery in Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged property. Two priests of the parish are missing. 18) Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and his property damaged, vehicle looted and burnt. 19) A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged. 20) Christian institutions like St. Arnold's School (Kalinga Bihar) and NISWASS report some damage. 21) BOUDH DISTRICT [Adjoining Kandhamal]: Fundamentalists enter the Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to safer places. But nothing seems safe. 22) MUNIGUDA: Muniguda Catholic Fathers and Nuns' residence have been damaged. 23) SAMBALPUR: HM Sister's residence (Ainthapalli) has suffered damage. 24) PADANPUR: One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital. Hostel boys and the in charge have moved away from the place. 25) MADHUPUR: Madhupur Catholic Church currently under attack. 26) SMALL CHURCHES: Attempted violence on small churches in various districts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera, Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tummiibandh, Tangrapada, Phulbani, Balliguda, Kalingia, Chakapad, Srasanranda. 27) VILLAGE CHRISTIAN HOUSES ATTACKED: Houses attacked on forest hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia (G.Udayagiri), Padangiri, Tikabali. 28) KALAHANDI DISTRICT: Houses burnt even though the district is more than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was killed. 29) PASTORS' HOUSE BURNT: Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his house burnt in Bhawanipatna. 30) KHARIHAR: 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up. 31) AAMPANI: Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their families. 32) NAKTIKANI: Mob surrounds village to attack Christians. The government has sent forces, it is reported. A delegation of Christian leaders under the leadership of Archbishop Vincent Concessao, the President of National United Christian Forum of CBCI, NCCI and EFI, met the Home Minister Shri Shiv Raj Patil and submitted a memorandum. The Home Minister assured the delegation all necessary steps have been taken to maintain peace and harmony and protect the innocent. He also expressed his helplessness by stating that police protection cannot be given in all villages. EFI request prayers at this time so that peace and harmony may prevail. [This list is compiled with assistance from Archbishop's House, Bhubaneswar, John Dayal, Light Foundation and EFI News reporters and other sources]
Rev. Dr. Richard Howell General Secretary Evangelical Fellowship of India New Delhi, India
Posted by Christian Persecution India Labels: anti christian propaganda, attack, beaten, destruction of property, kandhamal, orissa, police inaction, riots

Orissa Update by Advocate B D Das
Today the Christian community in the state of Orissa has experienced another communal violence by the members of the Sangh Pariwar inspite of precaution taken by the state authorities. The incident occurred during the Vishwa Hindu Parishad's (VHP) statewide bandh (shutdown) in Orissa to protest against the murder of its leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a member of VHP's central advisory committee, and four other people who were killed at his Jalespata ashram in Kandhamal district in Kandhamal, Orissa by more than 30 suspected Maoist rebels on Saturday.
People resorted to road blockades from Saturday night and continued till this evening. Vehicular movements at various places of the state were affected due to the demonstration of the activists of Bajrangdal, Vishwa Hindu Parishad, RSS, Hindu Jagaran Morcha and, supported by the BJP, a ruling coalition partner.
Trains were also detained by the activists at various railway stations and roads were blocked. Meanwhile high alert was sounded in entire state following the assassination of the religious leader and security arrangement was made to safe guarding the place of worship/ churches. However the forces were inadequate and were not able to prevent any kind of un-lawful activities of the activist in the entire state.
Several churches and prayer halls were torched, police outposts were attacked and about 20 vehicles damaged in the communally sensitive state during the bandh. Several educational Institutions , Christian shops and houses were damaged and two police outposts were ransacked . Activists accompanying body of the slain leader defied curfew and held processions passing through Phulbani town, attacking churches, houses and vehicles of one community in the presence of the police. The place of worships were desecrated, women were burnt and raped and Christian priests were subjected to inhuman torture. Christians were burnt alive. Many villagers are now hiding in the forests to save their lives. The Christian institutions have been closed down due to security reason. The law and order situation in the state is completely paralised. If the situation is not handled properly it may mount to an unmanageable magnitude. To address this issue at this juncture it is warranted that, either the CRPF or the Army in adequate strength be deployed to restore the law and order situation. Appended below please find some of the information we have received. Kindly pray for the restoration of peace in the state of Orissa.
Heinous incidents by the erratic mob
Ø 3 numbers of churches are burnt in Dumerguda, Talsara, Sundergarh.
Ø Catholic Church in Phulbani was burnt.
Ø Baptist church in Phulbani was attacked and all furniture was burnt.
Ø Houses (Christians) were attacked in Phulbani.
Ø Pastor's and Asst.Pastor's houses were burnt in Phulbani.
Ø 3 numbers of CNI churches were attacked in Kandhmal.
Ø Church in Koraput was burnt.
Ø Ichhapur Carmel School in Bhadrak was attacked and school buses were broken.
Ø World Vision Office in Bhawanipatna was attacked and the office vehicle was
o burnt.
Ø A family in Bhawanipatna was attacked.
Ø A church in Jeypore was attacked'
Ø Two schools and hostels in Muniguda were attacked and burnt.
Ø The Catholic Church at Satyanagar, Bhubaneswar was attacked.
Ø The CNI church in Chandipali, Bargarh was attacked.
Ø A Pentecostal church in Sambalpur was attacked.
Ø NISWASS and XIM in Bhubaneswar were attacked.
Ø A church and about 20 numbers of houses were burnt and a person named Rasananda Pradhan was killed in Rupagaon, near Chakapada.
Ø Christian houses in Nuasahi, Baliguda were damaged.
Ø In Khuntapali, Padampur an Orphanage (Missionary House) was burnt, Father Edward was burnt, children were burnt and a nun was burnt alive. 22 numbers of inmates are untraceable.
Ø The church and pastor's house in Padampur were burnt.
Ø Church in Sukinda was burnt.
Ø A brothern church in Gosaninuagaon, Berhampur was attacked.
Ø Office of the Compassion East India (NGO) in Bhubaneswar was attacked.
Ø A church in Bhimaguda, Nabarangpur was attacked.
Ø School and hostel in Madupur, Sohela, Bargarh was attacked.
Ø School bus of the De Paul School, Berhampur was burnt.
Ø Mission India Church at Jayadev Vihar, Bhubaneswar was burnt.
Ø William Carey School in Jatni, NH-5 was attacked, 5 numbers of school buses were broken.
Ø Church in Bidanasi, Cuttack was attacked; the cross was broken and is being taken forcefully by the fundamentalists.
Ø A nun named Mina Barua was raped and a Father named Thomas Clave was made naked.
Ø Church in Rayagada was damaged and a Jeep was burnt.
Ø Church in Raikia was burnt.
Bibhu Dutta Das
Posted by Christian Persecution India at

ORISSA ANTI CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE UPDATE 25th August 2008
NUN REPORTED BURNT ALIVE: A Christian woman, possibly a nun, was reported burnt alive on 25th August 2008 by a group of Vishwa Hindu Parishad mob which stormed the orphanage she ran in the district of
Bargarh (Orissa). Police Superintendent Ashok Biswall has told this to news reporters. A priest who was at the orphanage was also badly hurt and is now being treated in hospital for multiple burns.
NUN RAPED: A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese working Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed.
SENIOR PRIEST AND NUN INJURED: Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a disheveled state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was then set afire.
BALLIGUDA CHURCH BUILDINGS DESTROYED AGAIN: On 24th August 2008 evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24th and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent and hostel damaging the properties.
The mobs in Balliguda caught hold of two boys of the Catholic hostel and tonsured their heads.
PHULBANI CHURCH DAMAGED: On 25th august 2008 morning followers of the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in Phulbani, the district headquarter town.
MOTHER TERESA BROTHERS ASHRAM ATTACKED: mobs attacked the Mother Teresa Brothers’ residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients. Fundamentalists have targeted Priests, religious and also the Faithful in Pobingia also.
BHUBANESWAR BISHOP’S HOUSE ATTACKED: On the morning of 25th August 2008, violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of Catholic Church and Archbishop’s house in the heart of the Capital of the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police presence. They threw stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop’s House, damaging windows.
DUBURI PARISH; Another group of fundamentalists entered presbytery in Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged property. Two priests of the parish are missing.
Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and his property, vehicle etc. damaged, burnt and looted.
A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged. Christian institutions like St. Arnold’s School (Kalinga Bihar),AND NISWASS report some damage.
BOUDH DISTRICT [Adjoining Kandhamal]: Fundamentalists enter the Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to safer places. But nothing seems safe.
Muniguda Catholic Fathers and Nuns’ residence have been damaged.
Sambalpur HM Sister’s residence (Ainthapalli) has suffered damage.
Padanpur: One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital. Hostel boys and the in charge have moved away from the place.
Madhupur Catholic Church currently under attack.
SMALL CHURCHES: Attempted violence on small churches in various districts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera, Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tummiibandh, Tangrapada, Phulbani, Balliguda, Kalingia, Chakapad, Srasanranda.
VILLAGE CHRISTIAN HOUSES ATTACKED: Houses attacked on forest hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia (G.Udayagiri), Padangiri, Tikabali.
KALAHANDI DISTRICT: houses burnt even though the district is more than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was killed.
Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his house burnt in Bhawanipatna.
Kharihar: 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up.
Aampani: Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their families.
Naktikani: Mob surrounds village to attack Christians. The government has sent forces, it is reported.
[This list is compiled with assistance from Archbishop’s House,Bhubaneswar and other sources]
Posted by Christian Persecution India Labels: attack, orissa

2 persons arrested for killing Saraswati
Two persons were arrested in connection with the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati who was gunned down by unidentified persons on Saturday night even as Orissa government admitted lapses might have occured in his security. Home Secretary T K Mishra refused to divulge which community the two arrested persons belonged. "There could have been lapses on the security of Saraswati. Therefore, Kandhmal SP Nikhil Kanodia and Officer-in-charge of Tumudibandha police station Jena were placed under suspension", Home Secretary T K Mishra said. Mishra told reporters that though the police were yet to pinpoint lapses in the security which appeared to be inadequate. "It is the responsibility of the local police station and the district SP to deal with threats of important personalities", he said conceding that though police were informed about the danger to Saraswati's life, necessary arrangements were not in place. Saraswati had earlier escaped at least nine attempts on his life, police sources said. Though Mishra had on Sunday ruled out possibility of communal dimension to Saraswati's killing, he said today that police were probing all angles, including involvement of Maoists, in the incident. He said the kind of arms used and the manner in which the attackers executed the killing indicated Maoists' involvement. He said though the state had asked for four battalions of para-military force, the Centre sent only three companies of Rapid Action Force and two companies would be sent to Kandhmal district. The other company would be kept in reserve.
Click here for Source
Posted by Christian Persecution India

FAX to President to intervene
URGENT FAX 25 August 2008 TO PRESIDENT OF INDIA SEEKING ARMY / CENTRAL FORCES INTERVENTION TO PROTECT CHRISTIANS IN ORISSA AS NUN IS RAPED, PRIESTS INJURED, CHURCHES AND OFFICES BURNT IN PRESENCE OF POLICE Hon'ble Mrs., Pratibha Patil President of India Dear President Greetings from a grieving community. You are aware of the still continuing carnage against the Christian community, mostly Dalits and Tribals, in the Kandhamal district of Orissa and in several other districts including the state capital of Bhubaneswar since 23rd August 2003 following the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, reportedly by Maoist groups who have been operating in the state for some time. The Christian leadership in the country has unequivocally condemned the killing of the VHP leader and his four associates. The Christians of Kandhamal are still nursing their wounds from the Christmas 2007 violence, with hundreds of them still living in a refugee camp in Barakhama. Most of the more than One hundred churches then destroyed remain in ruins, and the burnt houses are still to be fully rebuilt. And yet local Sangh leaders have targeted the community in a second wave of macabre violence. A nun has been raped in Kandhamal, a Catholic father grievously injured, scores of houses in villages destroyed, apart from Churches and institutions. I attach herewith a partial list of the damage in the violence in the past two days. We in Delhi are overwhelmed with panic messages from Priests, pastors, nuns and common people who look to New Delhi for help as the State machinery ahs collapsed once again. Changing of superintendents of police as a knee jerk reaction does not provide security to Christians. In fact, much of the violence is taking place with the insufficient police force looking on. This had been the case in 2007 December, as has come out in the on going hearings of the Justice Basudeo Panigrahi Commission. Christian delegations have informed the State Governor, the State Chief Minister and the Home Minister of India of the dire situation of our community in Orissa. Dear Madame President, This is to request you to use your powers as President of India, and the tremendous force of your good offices, to impress on the Central Government to rush adequate Union forces, including contingents of the Armed Forces if required, to restore law and order and governance in the Kandhamal region. The consequences of any further delay, I fear, may be catastrophic for our Christian community in the State in particular, for peace in Orissa in general, and for the fair name of India as a secular country. God Bless you John Dayal
Posted by Christian Persecution India

Violence spreads in Kalahandi as well
According to reports just received from Kalahandi many incidents of violence and house burning have taken place in the district even though it is more than 300 kilometres from the place where Swami Laxmananada was killed. Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission was beaten up and his house was burnt in Bhawanipatna. In Kharihar, 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das was also beaten up at Kharihar as was Pastor I M Senapati who has been a Bishop in the Church of North India. In Aampani Pastor David Diamond Pahar was beaten up by more than 200 people and they chased him away from Aampani. He is hiding in nearby villages. Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor Pradhan and Pastor Barik were beaten up and chased away with their families. In Naktikani an angry mob surrounded the village to attack Christians. The government has sent forces and they are trying to control the mob.Meanwhile according to reports, a Christian delegation has met the Home Minister Mr. Shivraj Patil and expressed their concern over the incidents.
Posted by Christian Persecution India Labels: orisa

Orphanage set on fire in Orissa village, nun killed
Bhubaneswar: A nun was burnt to death and a priest injured when suspected Sangh Parivar activists set fire to an orphanage run by Christian missionaries in a village in Orissa’s Bargarh district on Monday.First reports from Khuntapali village say the suspected Sangh Parivar activists first pulled out children from the orphanage and then set it ablaze at around 1600 hrs. The 25-year-old nun and the priest were trapped inside. The priest is now recovering in a hospital.In the past Hindu extremists in Orissa have attacked Christian missionaries. In 1999 an Australian missionary, Graham Staines, and his two sons were killed by a mob that set their car on fire.The incident occurred during the Vishwa Hindu Parishad’s (VHP) statewide bandh (shutdown) in Orissa to protest against the murder of its leader in Kandhamal district on Saturday.Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a member of VHP's central advisory committee, and four other people were killed at his Jalespata ashram in Kandhamal district, 340 km from Bhubaneswar, on Saturday evening after more than 30 suspected Maoist rebels opened fire on them.Over a dozen churches and prayer halls were torched, police outposts attacked and about 15 vehicles damaged in the communally sensitive Kandhamal district during the bandh.Two churches were damaged in Phulbani town and two police outposts were ransacked near Nuagaon, while churches and prayer halls were attacked in Baliguda, Barkhama, Tikabali and Udaigiri areas.Activists accompanying body of the slain leader defied curfew and held processions passing through Phulbani town, attacking churches, houses and vehicles of one community, police said.In the state capital, saffron activists fanned out in large numbers in order to enforce the bandh and blocked important roads and intersections.Road and rail traffic was affected while shops and business establishments remained closed across the state during the bandh, supported by the BJP, a coalition partner in the ruling combine.(With inputs from PTI and IANS)Click here for source
Posted by Christian Persecution India at 7:58 AM 0 comments
Sunday, August 24, 2008

Naxals attack Orissa ashram, kill 5 key VHP leaders
New Delhi: In a Naxal attack in the communally sensitive Kandhamal district in Orissa, 30 armed Naxals ambushed the Ban Basi Kalyan ashram for girls when Janmashtami celebrations were taking place on Saturday evening killing six people. The Naxals threw grenades and opened indiscriminate firing at the ashram. All the dead were prominent VHP leaders including senior leader and ashram chief, Lashmananda Saraswati, Arupananda, Chinmayananda and Mata Bhaktimayee.Lashmananda Saraswati had received a letter threatening him on Saturday morning, asking him to stop religious activities at the ashram. Tension broke out at some places in the tribal-dominated Kandhmal after the attack on the ashram and roads leading to Tumudibandh were sealed, police said adding steps were taken to prevent any communal flare-up in the district. Kandhamal, which witnessed violence during Christmas in December last year, has long been a communal flash point. In January this year too, violence had erupted after Christian missionaries were attacked by Hindu groups. The district has been put on high alert and additional police forces, including the CRPF, have been rushed in to keep stock of the situation. Section 144 imposed in entire Kandhamal district. In a fallout of the Kandhamal incident, a prayer house was burnt in Tentulieadapada area of neighboring Sundargarh district on Sunday.The whole state of Orissa has been put on high alert.VHP has called for 12-hour Orissa bandh on Monday to protest the killings.BJP and VHP members have started their agitation and are blocking trains and roads in various parts of Orissa including Bhubaneshwar.Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has appealed the people to maintain peace. He has also promised to take stringent action against those found guilty.http://www.ibnlive.com/news/naxals-attack-orissa-ashram-kill-5-key-vhp-leaders/71990-3.html
Posted by Christian Persecution India at Labels: orissa

Protests in Orissa over killing of VHP leader
Thousands of people blocked roads and stopped trains in several places in Orissa on Sunday to protest the killing of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader and four others on Saturday night by armed assailants in the communally-sensitive Kandhamal district. A high alert has been sounded across the state.VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, who was leading a campaign against cow slaughter and religious conversion, allegedly by Christian missionaries, was shot dead at his Jalespata ashram, some 340 km from here."More than 30 men opened fire at the octogenarian leader, killing him and four others," district collector Kishan Kumar told IANS over phone."The attackers overpowered the 10 security personnel opened fire from their automatic rifles," Kumar said. "We have found a letter from the spot which indicates it may be a Maoist attack." The attack took place at around 7.30 pm.Saraswati was a member of the central advisory committee of the VHP.The authorities have clamped orders prohibiting the gathering of four or more people in the entire district. Security has been beefed up in the area.Thousands of people blocked roads at several places in the state. The state government has asked the police and district administrative heads to remain alert. "There have been sporadic incidents of road and train blockades in the state," inspector general of police Pradeep Kapoor told IANS. A high alert has been sounded across the state, he said."Thousands of policemen and paramilitary force troopers have been deployed in the district to avoid any untoward incidents," he said.Kandhamal district, with a population of around 600,000 including 150,000 Christians, is considered one of the most communally sensitive regions in the state. The region has witnessed numerous clashes between Hindus and Christians in the past.Saraswati has served tribes, mainly Kandhs, in the region. His main ashram is located at Chakapad in the same district. The place where he was killed houses a residential school for girls and an ashram.Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Puri Sankaracharya Nischilananda Saraswati, Bajrang Dal leader Subash Chauhan are among those who have condemned the killing.http://www.ndtv.com/convergence/ndtv/story.aspx?id=NEWEN20080062715
Posted by Christian Persecution India
Saturday, August 23, 2008

Trainee Evangelist arrested for Tract distribution in false charges of 295 & 297 IP
Sangh Parivar activists on Aug 20th attack evangelist in Benasil village, Dasamantapur block,Koraput Dist for distributing Gospel tractsAround 8.30 Am, Premdan Khora(35) of Indian Evangelical Team was sent by Kandpan Gouda of Bersaba Church to distribute Gospel tracts.At around 11 Am, Nearly 100 VHP activists who were conducting a Protest Rally against the Panigrahi Commission set up to probe the Dec '07,Anti Christian Violence in Kandhamal District of Orissa Commission in Dasamantapur block pounched on Premdan and mercilessly thrashed him for nearly an hour, till he was barely conscious.The radicals snatched away and destroyed the tracts and finally handed him over to the local police with different written false charges.GCIC immediately commissioned Advocate Mr Pravat Kumar Bidika , who contacted officials at the Police Station.However, the Sangh Pariviar, who have political clout threatened the police officials and an FIR was lodged and registered vide 34/08, dtd.20.08.08 under 295 and 297 IPC against Premdan Khora. On 21st Premdan was forwarded to the Court as a culprit under case no GR 442/08, dtd.21.08.08.Now he is in the District Jail of Koraput because of the Court is closed for Hindu festial holidays. GCIC will move his bail petition on coming Monday i.e.25.08.08 to secure the release of Premdan.www.persecution.in
Posted by Christian Persecution India at Labels: falsely accused, orissa
Sunday, August 17, 2008

Carmelite Priest Tortured, Killed in Andhra Pradesh
BALAMPILLY, AP (ICNS): The tortured and disfigured body of a Carmelite priest was reportedly found in the Yellareddy area of Naxalites-infected district of Nzamabad in Andhra Pradesh.
The body of Father Thomas Pandippallyil, 37, a member of Carmelite of Mary Immaculate, as found when people waiting for Sunday Mass in a village began a search after the priest failed to turn up. On a way side in Yellardy they found his body with legs and hands crushed with sever beatings, and eyes were pierced with a sharp weapon. He is believed to be killed on Saturday night. His motor bike was also found abandoned. The body was found almost a kilometer from the motor bike that he used. His head and also had serious injuries. The body was found in a deserted area in Balampilly village. On Saturday he reportedly offered a Mass Burgida village, where he stayed and started for another village to say Sunday Mass. On his way he visited an FCC convent in Lingapetta and had his supper. On Sunday the sisters were waiting for the priest for the mass in Yellareddy, and not finding him there initiated a search. A Post mortem was conducted and the burial would be at the Balampilly Provincial house on Wednesday morning. The priest was actively involved in educational field. He joined the Chanda mission of the CMI on 24th June 1987. He was ordained a priest in 2002. He was the rector for the Chanda mission province of the CMI, and also worked as hospital administrator, school manager and mission centre director.
INDIAN CATHOLIC - Carmelite Priest Tortured, Killed in Andhra Pradesh - BALAMPILLY, AP (ICNS): The tortured and disfigured body of a Carmelite priest was reportedly found in the Yellareddy area of Maoist-infected district of Nzamabad in Andhra Pradesh.
Posted by Christian Persecution India
Labels: andhra pradesh, killed

The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Nizamabad News : Pastor found murdered
Pastor found murdered
Staff Reporter
NIZAMABAD: A church pastor Padepalli Thomas (38) was found murdered at Mosalikunta on Lingampet-Yellareddy road, about 90 km from the district headquarters, late on Saturday night. The deceased clergyman was also the correspondent of the Jeevadhan High School attached to the church in Yellareddy.
His body bearing stab injuries on the abdomen and chest was recovered from the scene of offence. According to Additional SP, Y.A. Srinivas Rao who rushed to the spot, the pastor was coming back to Yellareddy after conducting evening prayers at Lingampet and Burigidda churches when he was attacked.
The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Nizamabad News : Pastor found murdered
Posted by Christian Persecution India Labels: andhra pradesh, killed
Thursday, July 31, 2008

Students attacked in Andhra Pradesh
According to reports from GCIC, a team of Christian students was attacked by Hindutva goons in Miryalguda, Nalgonda district, Andhra Pradesh. The attackers also seized Christian literature from the team and burned them down. On 29th July two Christian girl students were spotted by around 3 Hindutva hardliners while they were distributing Christian literature among the college students in the area.
Catching the girls unaware the miscreants attacked them, beating them and snatching away the Christian books. Three boxes of books which were carried by the team were also destroyed by the Hindutva gang.
Following this the attackers pelted stones at a Christian house nearby.
Not satisfied with this the miscreants themselves complained to the police that the Christian students were engaged in forced and fraudulent conversions and registered an FIR against them. Last heard local Christian leaders have also given a complaint against the attackers to the police.
Posted by Christian Persecution India at 9:18 AM 2 comments
Labels: andhra pradesh, attack, attack on faith
Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Pastor threatened in Andhra Pradesh
ANDHRA PRADESH, INDIA (ANS) -- A pastor was threatened for showing the well-known Jesus movie.
The incident occurred on July 27 in Andhra Pradesh in India.
According to a story on www.persecution.in, Pastor Devadanam organized a screening of the Jesus movie at his residence in Sanjeev Nagar Colony. The event drew about 100 people.
The website reported that as the film was being shown, between 15 and 20 young people from the Indian Peoples Youth Front (the youth wing of the Bharatiya Janatha Political Party, BJP) burst into the home.
According to the story, without saying anything the young people destroyed the speakers, tables and projector. They also tore and burned the screen, along with Bibles.
As the incident continued, the pastor and his family took refuge in one of the rooms in the house and locked the door. Banging on the door but unable to get in, the alleged perpetrators shouted to the pastor that if he ever screened the Jesus film again, they would kill him.
The story on www.persecution.in reported that following the attack, the pastor filed a complaint with the police against the alleged attackers. Six of the assailants were taken by law enforcement officers to the police station.
According to the story, Devadanam came to faith in Jesus many years ago, and has been in full-time Christian service for about a decade. His house church serves about 25 families.
Click here for source
Posted by Christian Persecution IndiaLabels: andhra pradesh, threat
Monday, July 28, 2008

Christian team attacked in Warangal, Andhra Pradesh
Hyderabad: Hindutva activists have attacked a Pastor and a Christian media team representing The Book of Hope at Jangaon in Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh. The attackers have also destroyed the media kit, including the film and the screen.
A team from The Book of Hope was screening a film on Jesus under the supervision of Pastor Devadanam of Telugu Baptist Church at Jangaon on 27 July 2008. Around 8 pm, more than 30 members belonging to Bharatiya Janata Party, Viswa Hindu Parishad and Bajarang Dal arrived at the venue and ransacked the place. They also beat up the Pastor and the team members and then destroyed the screen, the film and the furniture.
Thereafter the attackers sat in dharna in front of the Pastors’ residence, protesting against conversion activities in the area. They damaged the gate and doors of the house. The Pastor’s plea to spare them fell on deaf ears. They then went back to the spot where the film was screened and destroyed all the books and pamphlets and set fire to them. Upon this, the Pastor rang up the police, informing them about the continued attack by the Hindutva men. Just before the police arrived, they escaped into the dark.
On 28 July 2008, a group of Christian leaders took out a procession to the office of the District Superintendent of Police, wearing black badges. In the meantime the Circle Inspector of Jangaon approached them, assuring that similar incidents would not happen again.
By evening, the police official got all the attackers together and brought about a compromise between them. The Christian leaders thereafter withdrew the police complaint.
Source: AICC
Posted by Christian Persecution India Labels: andhra pradesh, anti christian propaganda, attack, attack on faith, beaten, destruction of property, threat, vandalized

http://christianpersecutionindia.blogspot.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvJ6WD13T2s