Christian Leader found dead in Kandhamal, Sajan George accuses Hindu radicals

(July 29, 2011) The body of Micael Digal, a Christian activist and leader, was found Thursday night near the village of Mdikia, Kandhamal, Orissa, after days of search. Following the autopsy police ruled the death “accidental”. However, for Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christian, he was ambushed and killed by Hindu extremists for his work on behalf of 2008 violence victims and Christian Dalits. “Even if the police have closed the case, the Global Council will continue to put pressure until Micael and other Christians brutally killed by Hindu radicals get justice,” Sajan George said. An example of such travesty of justice is the murder of Rev Saul Pradhan, a Protestant clergyman who went missing on 10 January. He was found a few days later about two kilometres from his home. Despite the obvious bruises and injuries to his body, the case was closed without any further action. Three years after the violence on Christians which ended in the killing of dozens of people, Christians in Kandhamal continue to be victimised by extremist groups who operate undisturbed thanks to the complicity of police and state authorities.