Curfew Imposed as Violence Against Christians in Orissa Spreads

(01 Oct 08 - RV) Authorities imposed a curfew in several towns in eastern India today after fresh attacks by Hindus on Christians as clashes over religious conversions spread.Hindu crowds set fire to houses in two largely Christian villages yesterday in the district of Kandhamal in the state of Orissa, killing one person. One church was also burnt. Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar in Orissa state, is Raphael Cheenath, He told us that while some local authorities turn a blind eye, the central force’s presence in large cities is not effective as the violence continues in the rural areas...