|
India: Orissa's Christians Flee Genocidal Violence
On 23 August 2008 Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was ambushed and shot dead.
From the evidence this was a targeted assassination perpetrated by a group
of well-armed Maoist guerrillas who as egalitarian left-wingers are
natural enemies of the caste- perpetuating right-wing Hindu nationalists.
Despite this, Hindu leaders in Orissa publicly charged the Christian
community with killing the Swami because of his anti-conversion campaign.
A violent Hindu pogrom erupted, so far claiming at least 36 lives.
Numerous Christians have been burnt, beaten, raped and slashed with
swords. In Kandhamal alone some 13,000 Christians are living in refuges
and tent camps. The violence has spread into surrounding districts and
50,000 Christians are estimated to have fled their homes ahead of violent
religious cleansing and are now displaced across Orissa, with many hiding
in dense jungle.
According to sources, the worst affected area is the Baliguda
sub-division, where more than 500 houses have been burnt and churches
torched.
The level of violence is shocking. A 20-year-old nun was burned alive in
an orphanage. Another young nun was pack-raped. A senior priest and nun
were stripped and violently degraded before a crowd of cheering
spectators, including known local government officials and several police.
Hundreds (estimated 400) of churches have been vandalized, looted and torched as have
thousands (estimated 4000) of Christian homes.
I CAN Relief has been involved in this region for some time. We have many
people injured and displaced.
Here is a report from Noah’s sister Ruth (she lives in India and runs a
school there):
Here is a report from our volunteer Ruth in India:
Ruth, reported she is overwhelmed with the staggering numbers of
persecuted Christians in dire need of shelter, food and medicine.
There are nearly 285 women of Harvest Church India and around 95 children
who will have to be immediately relocated to a different state to avoid
further rape, torture, killings and persecution of Christians. It is
urgent that they be transported and relocated to a different state. The
persecuted women are willing to be relocated. However, the transportation
and relocation involves cost, for which flame India does not have any
funds, as they are already using their financial resources for feeding and
housing the orphans. Harvest ministries India request you to please pray
and financially help to transport the women and children.
About 23 children are sick and in need of medical care. It is urgent that
we transport the little ones and there parents to a safe place.
Please help. |
