More Homes Burned in Orissa. Statement by the Bishops

(October 21, 2008) Groups of Hindu radicals have burned a number of homes belonging to Christians over the night of October 19, in the district of Kandhamal (Orissa, India). The government of the state says that the situation "is returning to normal," but the bishops of the region, in a statement published Monday, say that "the Christians of Kandhamal have lost faith in the state government.” Fr. Manoj Digal, head of rural affairs for the social centre of the diocese of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar, reported that despite the curfew, extremist Hindu groups roam around the villages at night bringing destruction. The farm animals are forcefully taken away or used to prepare meals for the rioting group. They have destroyed the hospital of the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa's in Srasananda where they served leprosy and tuberculosis patients, and have destroyed medicines, mattresses, pillows, shutters, doors and other things. The ransacking and destruction of farming resources makes the return of Christian to their land increasingly unlikely. At least 12,000 Christians have abandoned the refugee camps set up by the government, and have migrated to neighbouring states, where they will have to begin a new life with absolutely nothing. In a joint statement published Monday, the Bishops of Orissa and the Indian Bishops' Conference say that "after 54 days of attacks on Christians in Kandhamal, the situation in the district and in other parts of Orissa is still tense and insecure. Christians are afraid to return to their villages as threats of death have forced many of them to flee in to the forest or to live in dehumanizing condition in state-run relief camps. The camps have become half-sized - not because the people have returned to their respective villages, but because they have migrated to other districts and other states in search of safety. Christians of Kandhamal have lost faith in the state government and they feel that their fundamental right to live has been totally taken away by the constitutionally elected government. The Bishops are urgently calling for the opening of investigations into the violence, the killing of 60 Christians, the rape and destruction, and demand "just and adequate compensation." Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has met with representatives of the World Council of Churches and promised them that the churches will be rebuilt. This statement has been criticised by the extremist group.