For the last 11 months, Christians in India's Orissa state and elsewhere have been the objects of hateful persecution. A report by internationnal human-rights investigators, lays out the mistreatment and abuse in unsettling detail.
-In Orissa State, 65 identified people have been killed and 85 are still unaccounted for. Among those killed were one man buried alive near the village of Rudangla; several people burnt to death and others cut into pieces.
– 117 churches of all Christian denominations destroyed. Not a single Hindu temple has been destroyed – despite allegations of retaliation by Christians.
– Approximately 5,000 homes destroyed.
– An unspecified number of Christian businesses destroyed, with the loss of livelihood for their owners.
– 54,000 people displaced from their homes, forced to take shelter in 14 State-sponsored relief camps in Kandhamal District; together with many hundreds living in non-state camps, including 2 ‘camps' in densely overcrowded buildings in Cuttsack town
– It is estimated that about 20,000 are still living in the jungle or have fled to big cities. Some may be living with relatives elsewhere.
– In addition to the violence in Kandhamal District, 2 other Districts, Japati and Baragras District, have also experienced similar atrocities, including killings, looting and burning of churches and homes. 2 Relief camps have been established for approximately 2,700 people who have had to flee their homes.
Click here for the full report. Warning: Some of the descriptions are disturbing. See CT's November editorial here.
