Dear all, Shocking news for your attention – Taking inspiration from the BJP's success in Gujarat following the fascistic experiments – particularly 2002 pogrom, BJP-VHP-RSS-Bajaranga Dal adopted formula in Kandhamal district of Orissa. They started their attack on the day before the Christians' festival observation on 25 th December and followed by Bandhs on 25th. One person has been killed today and several got injured. The situation is extremely frightening in the entire district. It seems - RSS under the leadership of Swami Laxmananada Saraswati are plan-fully mobilizing their Gestapo vahini to corner religious minorities and spearhead attacks on them. We are waiting for authentic information from remote areas. Time has come we liberal Hindus, Christians, Muslims and secular people should think and raise their voices against fundamentalists may it be Hindu, Christian or Muslim. The fundamentalist leaders are misleading common people and engaging them in conflicts with a well-knit conspiracy. I am enclosing some news items for your information:- Rediffmail News Orissa: Man killed during VHP bandh; curfew imposed December 25, 2007 21:13 IST Curfew was clamped in four major towns of Orissa's Kandhamala district on Tuesday after one person was killed and at least 24 others injured during a VHP-sponsored bandh. The meeting was called to protest the alleged attack on an anti-conversion leader. "Following large-scale violence, we have imposed curfew in the district headquarters town of Phulbani, Baliguda, Daringibadi and Brahmanigaon to prevent further flare up", said Revenue Divisional Commissioner (southern division) Satyabrata Sahu. Expressing concern over the violence on Christmas day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to the people to maintain peace and communal harmony. A youth was killed in mob violence at Barakhamba, a senior police officer said, adding that he was yet to be identified. The details of the incident are not known yet. "The situation is tense but under control. We are keeping a close watch," the official said. At least six churches were set on fire in Orissa's Kandhamal district, in a backlash to the attack on an anti-conversion movement leader on Monday. Six churches, mostly built in thatched houses, were either ransacked or the vacant premises set on fire since last night as tension built up in the area, Revenue Divisional Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu told PTI. Unconfirmed reports said 12 churches were targeted by vandals since last night, and additional forces deployed in sensitive pockets of the district. Of the total 6.50 lakh Population in the district, more than one lakh belong to the Christian community. The violence, which began at Brahmanigaon village under Daringbadi area on Monday, gradually spread to other parts of the district with unidentified persons attacking two houses of state's Steel and Mines minister Padmanabha Behera at Phiringia and Nuapadar villages. While three churches were set on fire at Baliguda last night, three others were burnt today at different villages under Nuagaon block, official sources said. Similarly, churches at Chakapada, Giringia and Phiringia were also ransacked and then set on fire, sources said. NDTV News Mob attack: Indefinete curfew in parts of Orissa Sampad Mahapatra Tuesday, December 25, 2007 (Bhubaneswar ) Indefinete curfew has been imposed in several towns in Kondhmal district of Orissa and twenty people arrested, following attacks on churches. Mob attack: Indefinete curfew in parts of Orissa Indefinete curfew has been imposed in several towns in Kondhmal district of Orissa and twenty people arrested, following attacks on churches. Times of India Curfew clamped in 4 towns, youth killed in violence in Orissa PHULBANI: Curfew was on Tuesday clamped in four major towns of Orissa's Kandhamala district after one person was killed and at least 24 others injured during a VHP-sponsored bandh in protest against alleged attack on an anti-conversion leader. NDTV Hindustan Times Press Trust Of India Orissa, December 25, 2007 Curfew imposed in four Orissa towns Curfew was imposed in four towns after a youth was killed and six churches and a minister's houses were targeted on Tuesday in largescale communal violence and arson in Orissa's Kandhamal district following an attack on a VHP leader who led an anti-conversion movement. A youth was killed in mob violence at Barakhamba, a senior police officer said, adding he was yet to be identified. At least six churches, mostly built in thatched houses, were either ransacked or the vacant premises set on fire since on Monday night as tension built up in the area, Revenue Divisional Commissioner Satyabrata Sahu told PTI. Two police outposts and a police vehicle were set on fire, he said. "Following largescale violence, we have imposed curfew in district headquarters town of Phulbani, Baliguda, Daringibadi and Brahmanigaon to prevent further flare up," Sahu said. Unconfirmed reports said 12 churches were targetted by vandals since Monday night and additional forces deployed in sensitive pockets of the district where of the total 6.50 lakh population, more than one lakh belonged to Christian community. The violence, which began at Brahmanigaon village under Daringbadi area on Monday , gradually spread to other parts of the district with miscreants attacking two houses of the state's Steel and Mines minister Padmanabha Behera at Phiringia and Nuapadar villages, 10 km from Orissa. While three churches were set on fire at Baliguda on Monday night, three others were burnt on Tueaday at different villages under Nuagaon block, official sources said. Churches at Chakapada, Giringia and Phiringia were also ransacked before being set afire, the sources said. A police station and a police outpost area were set on fire and the official jeep of circle inspectors of Phulbani and Tikabali torched by mobs which attacked offices of some organisations including an orphanage run by Christian missionaries in different parts of the district. Policemen who went to Daringbadi, Phiringia and Chakapada blocks were not allowed access by the mob which took to streets after 80-year-old VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati was allegedly attacked on Monday. "The situation is tense but we are trying to get control," Director General of Police Gopal Nanda told PTI adding additional armed forces were being sent to the violence-prone areas of the tribal-dominated district. The DGP said Inspector General of Police (Special Armed Police) Pradip Kapoor was camping at the district headquarters though police movement was restricted due to felling of trees on the road. Meanwhile, several trains were delayed and vehicular movement hit as bandh supporters blocked railway tracks and highways in Cuttack, Balasore, Bhubaneswar and Bhadrak during the four-hour shutdown. Activists of VHP and Bajrang Dal blocked traffic in many areas and moved in groups to enforce a four-hour bandh called in protest against the attack on Saraswati. As many as 13 persons were taken into custody in connection with the alleged attack, Inspector General of Police (special armed police) Pradeep Kapur said. Expressing concern over the violence on Christmas day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to the people to maintain peace and communal harmony. Thousands of people were denied entry into Churches in different parts of the tribal dominated district to offer special prayers and services on the occasion of Christmas as saffron activists held picketing during the bandh called by them in protest against attack on Saraswati. The VHP-sponsored bandh coincided with a two-day shut-down called by "Kui samaj sammanwaya samiti", a tribal outfit demanding Scheduled Tribe status to Dalit Christians.
Last Updated: December 25, 2007 22:17 IST
At least a dozen churches were attacked by a mob, allegedly led by VHP activists. One person was killed and 25 hurt in the ensuing violence.
Tension has been rising there since Monday when clashes broke out between some Christian and Hindu groups. The situation worsened after Christians attacked a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader in retaliation.
Twelve vehicles, including two police jeeps were also damaged during a VHP sponsored four-hour Orissa bandh, which evoked partial response, dampening Christmas festivities.
Violence broke out at several places as saffron activists ransacked churches in Baliguda area disrupting Christmas festivities with bandh supporters picketing outside chapels, police said.
Several trains were delayed and vehicular movement hit as bandh supporters blocked railway tracks and highways in Cuttack, Balasore, Bhubaneswar and Bhadrak. However, shops and business centres remained open and road traffic was normal in most places.
Activists of VHP and Bajrang Dal blocked traffic in many areas and moved in groups to enforce the bandh called in protest against the attack on anti-conversion leader Laxmanananda Saraswati on Monday, police said.
Meanwhile, speaking on NDTV's India 60 Minutes Verdict, Rev Dominic Emmanuel, Spokesperson for Delhi Catholic Archdiocese condemned the violence. (With PTI inputs)
At least a dozen churches were attacked by a mob, allegedly led by VHP activists. One person was killed and 25 hurt in the ensuing violence.
Tension has been rising there since Monday when clashes broke out between some Christian and Hindu groups. The situation worsened after Christians attacked a Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader in retaliation.
Twelve vehicles, including two police jeeps were also damaged during a VHP sponsored four-hour Orissa bandh, which evoked partial response, dampening Christmas festivities.
Violence broke out at several places as saffron activists ransacked churches in Baliguda area disrupting Christmas festivities with bandh supporters picketing outside chapels, police said.
Several trains were delayed and vehicular movement hit as bandh supporters blocked railway tracks and highways in Cuttack, Balasore, Bhubaneswar and Bhadrak. However, shops and business centres remained open and road traffic was normal in most places.
Activists of VHP and Bajrang Dal blocked traffic in many areas and moved in groups to enforce the bandh called in protest against the attack on anti-conversion leader Laxmanananda Saraswati on Monday, police said.
Meanwhile, speaking on NDTV's India 60 Minutes Verdict, Rev Dominic Emmanuel, Spokesperson for Delhi Catholic Archdiocese condemned the violence. (With PTI inputs)
25 Dec 2007, 2208 hrs IST , PTI
"Following largescale violence, we have imposed curfew in district headquarters town of Phulbani , Baliguda, Daringibadi and Brahmanigaon to prevent further flare up", Revenue Divisional Commissioner (southern division) Satyabrata Sahu said.
Expressing concern over the violence on Christmas day, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik appealed to the people to maintain peace and communal harmony.
A youth was killed in mob violence at Barakhamba, a senior police officer said, adding he was yet to be identified. The details were not yet known.
At least six churches were attacked, some set on fire, and a minister's residences were attacked, two police outposts and a police vehicle set on fire in the mayhem in different parts of the district since last night following the alleged attack.
"The situation is tense but under control. We are keeping a close watch," the official said.
While 14 persons, including Laxmanananda Saraswati, were injured on Monday, over 10 others sustained injuries in incidents of violence since this morning as saffron activists targeted Churches, a missionary-run orphanage and an international NGO.
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