40,000 Christians hiding in forest in violence-marred Orissa

September 03, 2008

The federal Supreme Court of India has ordered Orissa's state government to provide within 24 hours details of the measures the state has taken to ensure the safety of Christians. The nation's top court gave the order on September 3 after hearing a petition from Archbishop Raphael Cheenath of Bhubaneswar, who asked the court to ensure security for embattled Christians. When the chief justice asked archbishop's counsel why he was not bringing the same petition before Orissa's top state court, the counsel replied that he was frightened to go to Orissa, where Hindu groups have cowed to kill him.

"We hope the court will order some clear directions tomorrow after hearing the (Orissa) government," Archbishop Cheenath told CWN September 3 from New Delhi, where he is staying to plead for direct federal involvement.

 

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Further information:

• UCAN overview
• Six more churches set on fire, hundreds of homes destroyed (AsiaNews)
• Indian priest, early victim of Hindu mob, talks to AsiaNews