Christians seek Indian federal intervention in anti-Christian attacks

Published: 2007-12-27

BHUBANESWAR, India (CNS) -- Christian leaders in India have sought intervention from the federal government to end anti-Christian violence which has killed two Christians since the attacks by Hindu radicals began Dec. 24. Christian organizations in New Delhi appealed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to "alleviate the fear of the Christian community" in the eastern state of Orissa, reported the Asian church news agency UCA News. "We would like you to take immediate action so that violence against the peace-loving minority community may be stopped right away and peace restored," they said in a statement. Archbishop Vincent Concessao of New Delhi, president of the National United Christian Forum, was among Catholic and Protestant leaders who signed the statement. The Dec. 26 statement came amid reports of Christians fleeing their villages to the jungle, and priests and nuns going into hiding as Hindu radicals stepped up attacks against them. The attacks began Dec. 24 in Bamunigam and soon spread to other parts of the predominantly tribal Kandhamal district.

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