Three more killed in Orissa

Compass Direct and others are reporting that at least two more Christians were killed yesterday in Orissa state’s Kandhamal district.  A third man succumbed to axe injuries on Wednesday (Oct. 1).  While some of the details are still unclear, the two men were apparently killed as they were dragged out of their home at  night, shot and then cut to pieces.  After killing the two men, the assailants then massacred cattle belonging to village Christians and burned Christian-owned houses.

Compass Direct reports that a local news reporter Lalit Jena told them that the attacks – which have continued unabated for the past five week involve women first ransacking the Christian homes.

“The modus operandi of the tribal mob is such that women go first and attack the Christian houses,” he said. “They ransack and rob the household’s gold and other jewelry, TVs and all that is precious. The men then follow and burn the houses. Lately it has been reported that now they are fighting among themselves for the booty.”

Jena told Compass that tribal peoples who lived in poverty before the violence now have obtained many head of cattle, including goats and cows, within a short span, as well as household goods.

“They may have no electricity in their villages, but one can see lots of television sets, nearly all of it looted from the Christians,” he said.

Earlier this week, the Indian Prime Minister denounced the attacks on Christians in Orissa as "acts of national shame."

The Voice of the Martyrs has committed to sending aid to the Christians of Orissa.  Funds for legal assistance, relief aid, and rebuilding projects are being raised and sent through reliable channels to insure that the help gets to those in need.  You can join us through an online donation to our Relief and Development Fund. Together we can let our brothers and sisters know that they are not forgotten during these days of tribulation.

We would also encourage you to express your concerns to:

Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of India
Room No. 152,
South Block,
New Delhi, 110001
(O) Tel : +91-11-23012312
(O) Fax: +91-11-23016857

Smt. Pratibha Patil
Hon'ble President of India
Rashtrapati Bhavan
New Delhi, 110001
(O) Tel: +91-11-23017290
(O) Fax: +91-11-23017824
Email: presidentofindia@rb.nic.in

Shri Navin Patnaik
Chief Minister of Orissa
Naveen Nivas,
Aerodrome Road,
P.O.-Bhubaneswar,
District-Khurda,
Pin-751001 (Orissa)
(O) Tel: +91-0674-2531100, 2535100, 2531500
(O) Fax: +91-0674-2400100 
(R) Tel: +91-0674-2590299, 2591099,2590844,2591100,2590833
Email:cmo@ori.nic.in