Persecution News - India
Pray for Christians in India and Sri Lanka
(August 26, 2010)
Twelve Christians arrested
(August 26, 2010)
Four students taken into custody in Lucknow
(August 05, 2010)
Christian woman brutally attacked
(July 15, 2010)
Assailants sever Christian's hand
(July 08, 2010)
Two pastors attacked; vehicles burned
(June 30, 2010)
Christian beaten, forcibly reconverted to Hinduism
(June 17, 2010)
Missionary murdered
(June 03, 2010)
Christian man dies, three injured after attack
(April 22, 2010)
A call to action and prayer for Christians in Orissa
(December 23, 2009)
Christians beaten, church burned down
(December 16, 2009)
Pray for persecuted Christians in Orissa this Christmas
(December 02, 2009)
Three churches attacked in Tamil Nadu
(December 02, 2009)
Christians throughout India targeted in violent attacks
(October 28, 2009)
Pastor attacked and arrested in Karnataka
(October 14, 2009)
Pastor attacked by Hindu militants in Andhra Pradesh
(September 30, 2009)
Relief camp bombed in Orissa
(September 30, 2009)
Hindus falsely accuse Christians of murder
(September 02, 2009)
Church burned in Andhra Pradesh
(August 26, 2009)
Christians attacked throughout Karnataka
(August 19, 2009)
India Profile
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Country Reports
| Anti-Christian violence erupts in Orissa, India |
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| August 27, 2008 | ||||
Anti-Christian violence erupts in Orissa, India
Attacks on Christian homes and shops 150 houses belonging to Christians have been reportedly burned to the ground by militants in the village of Rupagaon, Kandhamal alone. A paralyzed man was unable to escape his burning house and was killed. Houses have also been ransacked, pelted with stones and vandalized throughout the state. Christian-owned shops have been torched and looted. Many Christians have fled their homes and are seeking refuge in the jungle. Although police have attempted to protect Christians and end the attacks in Orissa, the violence has continued to occur. Militant groups have blocked roads with logs in order to keep the police away. Christian groups continue to beseech government authorities to intervene and end the violence. Pray that law and order will be restored in Orissa state. Pray that those responsible for these attacks will be brought to justice. Ask God to give strength to Christians in Orissa state to remain steadfast in their faith in this time of severe suffering (1 Peter 5:8-10). Pray for those who have lost loved ones and property in the riots. To view a video report on the violence in Orissa, visit VOMC's weblog at persecutedchurch.blogspot.com. For more information on the persecution of Christians in India, go to theĀ India Country Report. |



Widespread mob violence against the Christian community in Orissa state began on August 24 following the assassination of World Hindu Council (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati on the evening of August 23. Saraswati, the leader allegedly responsible for inciting attacks on Christians in Orissa's Kandhamal district last Christmas, was killed along with four of his followers when approximately 30 armed men stormed a religious centre in Kandhamal district and opened fire. Despite evidence indicating that Maoists are responsible for Saraswati's murder, several Hindu militant groups have blamed Christians. As a result, Hindu militants have launched attacks on Christians throughout the state, setting buildings on fire and beating and killing believers in at least 12 districts. The Voice of the Martyrs has been receiving numerous reports from various sources on this developing crisis. At present, it is difficult to know the full extent of what is happening in Orissa.