Sunday, August 24, 2008 NEW DELHI, INDIA (ANS) : Christians Condemn Killing of VHP Leader; Hope Peace Will be Maintained in Orissa, India

Violence in Orissa, India Saturday night resulted in the death of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati and at least four of his associates.

Sunday, August 24, 2008 : Pastor Attacked, Churches Burned in Wake of Swami’s Murder in Orissa, India

CARROLLTON, TX (ANS) -- At least one Gospel for Asia missionary has been attacked, churches and homes have been destroyed and Christians are fleeing for their lives in India’s Orissa state in the wake of the murder of a leading anti-Christian activist leader.

1 October 2008 India: Government should match its words with action and halt violence against Christian minorities in Orissa

India should match its words with its actions and ensure that members of the Christian minority community in the eastern state of Orissa are protected against renewed communal violence, Amnesty International said today.

Further Information on UA 236/08 (ASA 20/018/2008, 27 August 2008) Fear for safety
Population of Kandhamal district, Orissa state

The Orissa state authorities have set up 20 relief camps to provide sanctuary for Christians forced to flee their homes in Kandhamal district. The Christian minority have come under attack since the murder of a prominent Hindu nationalist leader on 24 August, and 20 have so far been killed. One of the camps was attacked on 2 September.

27 August 2008: Population of Kandhamal district, Orissa state

The murder of a prominent Hindu nationalist leader has been used by his supporters to justify violent attacks on the Christian minority in the Kandhamal district of the eastern state of Orissa. At least 10 people have been killed so far, and the violence is continuing, putting many others in danger.

November 6, 2008:

Orissa police on November 4 arrested seven Christian’s relief workers on false charges of conversion by allurement under 153A/34IPC of section 4 - Orissa Freedom of Religious Act in Bhadrak district.