Thousands of terrified Indian Christians are hiding in the forests of the volatile Indian state of Orissa after a wave of religious “cleansing” forced them from their burnt-out homes with no immediate prospect of return.
A mob of Hindu fundamentalists rampaged through villages last week, killing those too slow to get out of their way, burning churches and an orphanage, and targeting the homes of Christians. Up to 20 people were reported dead, with at least two deliberately set alight, after the murder of a Hindu leader on Aug. 23 provoked the violence.
In some districts, entire villages lay abandoned by Christian populations who would rather shelter in the forests than return to face the risk of death. Some villagers attempted to return to their homes on Saturday despite threats of further violence.
But Christian leaders who had spoken to those who have fled said that even among the trees they were not safe. Some of their tormenters have pursued them, trying to finish the job.
One of those hiding in the forest, Abalkora Diggal, described how a group arrived at Balkidadi village on Monday morning chanting anti-Christian slogans.
“In the evening, a much bigger group of over 1,000 people fired in the air and warned us to leave if we wanted to stay alive,” he told a local journalist.
They fled into the forest, emerging only when they saw an aid convoy arrive under heavy police protection. Afterward, they returned to the forest, without food or fresh water.
“I had a home and a tractor. I reared goats and hens. Now I have nothing,” Diggal said.
Babu Joseph, spokesman for the Catholic Bishop’s Conference of India, said that many people were too frightened to return to their homes.
After speaking by mobile phone to some of those in hiding, he said: “They are living without food or drink and even there they are being hunted down by these people. I have spoken to nuns and priests who are hiding in the forests.”
“They said that it was a horrifying experience. Groups arrived at their villages carrying guns, swords and homemade weapons and even small bombs, which they used to blast the places. The groups targeted every Christian house in their villages. The people had a list of the Christian houses and institutions and none were spared,” he said.
The Catholic Church said nearly 3,000 houses had been destroyed, most of them owned by Christians. More than 60 churches were burned down and at least half a dozen convents.
“It is the result of a sustained hate campaign against Christians in Orissa,” Joseph said.
Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh described the violence as a “national shame.”
Meanwhile Raphael Cheenath, th Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Archbishop, called for an end to the “ethnic cleansing of Christians.”
The violence erupted after the murder of Hindu leader Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati at an ashram, along with four other activists from the hardline Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) party.
It was claims by the VHP that Christians were to blame for the deaths that acted as a trigger for the killing spree, although Maoist guerillas have since claimed responsibility for the murders. Reports said that about 30 Maoists opened fire on the ashram.
A spokesman for the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army said it had targeted Saraswati, who had campaigned against conversions and the killing of cows, for “fascist activities.”
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