Christians attacked in Orissa village
From our
correspondent
Christian families living in
Matiapara market area of Orissa have been attacked and their houses ransacked
and set on fire. A few Christians injured in the attack have been admitted to
hospital for treatment.
In a memorandum submitted to Chief
Minister Naveen Patnaik, All India Christian Council (aicc) Orissa Chapter
president Rev PR Parichha has condemned the incident and drawn his attention to
continuous harassment and violence committed against the Christian community in
different parts of Orissa.
Citing the incident in Matiapara
market, Rev Parichha said a person belonging to the local Christian community
was beaten up and humiliated at Matiapara market on 15 January 2006. Fearing
further attack, they did not report the matter to the local police. But on 16
January 2006 morning, a mob armed with lathis and other weapons attacked the
houses of the Christian community. They beat them up, ransacked their houses
and then set them on fire. The victims ran for their lives and took shelter at
the Bari Police Station. Many of them, who were injured in the attack, had to
be treated at the local hospital.
When the incident was brought to
the notice of Jajpur Collector and Additional Superintendent of Police, they
assured security and justice to the victims. The council sought appropriate
relief compensation and rehabilitation of the victims as they “are passing
their days without shelter, food and clothes.”
“The Christian community in Orissa
looks forward to having a permanent solution to this issue. It has become a
habit for some miscreants to harass the minority community and destroy the
environment of peaceful co-existence,” Rev Parichha said.
In another memorandum to the
Collector of Jajpur, Rev Pariccha said, “While we appreciate the timely action
taken at your instance, we regret to inform you that the police have played a
partisan role in the case. Instead of taking action against the culprits, they
have arrested the innocent victims, allowing the main culprits to go
scot-free.”
He said no relief had reached the
victims so far and they were still without shelter, food and clothes. Some of
the injured were still waiting for proper medical care. Under the circumstance,
“we urge you to take all necessary measures to rehabilitate and provide relief
by cash and kind to the affected families.”