Newer forms of violence target camps, women

(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.