(September06, 2008) Christian groups say the two-week long Hindu fanatic violence
against Christians continues in Orissa, taking newer forms of attacking relief camps
and sexually assaulting women. Ecumenical Fellowship of India reported a series of
incidents including poisoning drinking water, women attacking relief camps, taking
away food materials, and publicly molesting Christian women. Six Christians fell ill
after their drinking water was poisoned in the Government Relief Camp at Vijay High
School Raikia, Kandhamal on Sept. 3. Another attempt to poison the drinking water
source of the relief camp in Habaq High School at G. Udayagiri, Kandhamal was foiled
by an alert security guard on Sept.2. On Sept 4th a group of nearly 2,500 extremists
barged into the Relief Camp at Tikabali Government High School shouted at the Christian
refugees and took away supplies meant for Christian refugees, while police were silent
spectators to the event. In another incident over 300 fanatic-incited tribal women
attacked a relief camp for the Christian riot victims in Tikabali in Orissa's riot-hit
Kandhmal district on Sept. 4 demanding food and employment. Kandhamal, the epicentre
of violence, is boiling endlessly with news pouring in of Christian women being sexually
assaulted in brutal display of aggression, the Fellowship said.