Wednesday, December 31, 2008
India, an Exporter of Priests: New York Times
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Kandhamal killings split Orissa Maoists on religious lines
Orissa proposes deletion of 'Kui' from tribal list
Monday, December 29, 2008
Why Christmas was peaceful in Orissa, India?
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Over 1 lakh accused in Kandhmal case
PHULBANI (Kandhmal): Holding trial for the accused in the recent communal riots in Kandhmal district of Orissa could turn out to be an onerous
and long drawn process as over a lakh people have been accused of their involvement in the violence.
The police, based on 698 FIRs filed in connection with the carnage that happened mostly in August and September in the southern Orissa district, have found that 11,348 people are named accused, while over 89,424 people have been categorized as others in the complaints. "The number would go further up as 75 more cases have been lodged since we made the assessment a few days ago,'' a senior police officer said.
Conducting investigation, arresting the accused and organizing trial for such a huge number of accused is being viewed as a "big challenge'' for the state administration, admitted officials. "This is an unprecedented situation in Orissa. We have never dealt with a law and order situation of this magnitude,'' pointed out a top cop. Officially, 39 people were killed in the religious mayhem. Police have so far arrested around 700 people in connection with the murders, arson and other violence that took place in Kandhmal. Even incarcerating those arrested has been a major headache as the states prisons are overcrowded. The jails in Kandhmal district could not accommodate such large number forcing us to shift a good person of the under trials to jails in Ganjam and other places, official sources said.
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Thursday, December 25, 2008
Christmas peaceful in Kandhamal: Hindus join the celebrations
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Kadamphul Nayak forgives her husband's killers in Orissa
Beat gong and blow conch on Christmas in Orissa: Sangh outfit
Justice B K Somasekhara Commission orders grant of permission for prayers
Sangh Parivar calls off Orissa bandh
Thursday, December 18, 2008
NHRC notice to Orissa govt on Hindu groups' bandh on X'mas day
Catechist Yuvraj Digal killed by fundamentalists in Orissa
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Civil Society Ushers a New Hope in Kandhamal, Orissa
Orissa's persecuted Christians get relief
Sunday, December 14, 2008
EU team meets Orissa home secretary on Kandhamal
14 Dec 2008, 0050 hrs IST, TNN |
BHUBANESWAR: In an apparent follow-up to French President Nicolas Sarkozy eliciting a "national shame'' response in October from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh over the Kandhamal violence, a five-member delegation from theEuropean Union has asked the Orissa government to ensure a peaceful Christmas in the riot-ridden region.
This came even as the Centre advised the ruling BJD-BJP coalition to remain alert considering the saffron brigade's announcement to organize a statewide bandh on December 25.
The diplomats met home secretary Aditya Padhi and DGP Manmohan Praharaj on Friday and expressed their concern and fears over possible re-escalation of tension between communities during Nativity. "The delegation had taken prior clearance from the ministry of external affairs to visit Bhubaneswar and Berhampur,'' an official said.
The visitors comprised deputy head of mission (embassy of Ireland) Pat Bourne, second secretary (embassy of the Netherlands) Bart Paans, second secretary (British high commission) Ruth Willis, deputy head of mission (embassy of Finland) Lissa Valjento and first secretary (embassy of Italy) Gabriele Annis.
"The delegation laid stress on the prevention of forcible reconversion activities, people returning to their villages, restoration of peace and normalcy in Kandhamal and smooth celebration of Christmas,'' a senior official said. "The government representatives highlighted the steps they have taken so far and assured that they would do all to ensure peace in the trouble-torn district,'' he added.
The home secretary told TOI: "The state government is committed to maintaining law and order and ensuring harmonious coexistence of all communities.'' The visit of the envoys coincided with a letter from Union home secretary to the state chief secretary, advising the latter to take adequate measures to prevent recurrence of any untoward incident in Kandhamal during Christmas. more |
Christmas at UTC with Widows Of Orissa Violence
BANGALORE, India (UCAN) -- A Christian group here organized an advance Christmas celebration for some women widowed during anti-Christian violence in the eastern Indian state of Orissa.
Asmitha Digal is among 24 widows who lost husbands in the anti-Christian Orissa violence in India, taking part in Christmas celebration in Bangalore on Dec. 8. |
"We have lost our husbands to a hate campaign, yet we believe that only love and forgiveness can bring peace in society," asserted Kadamphul Nayak, widow of Pastor Samuel Nayak.
She was among 24 widows and two children who traveled 1,400 kilometers from Orissa to the southern Indian city of Bangalore to attend the Dec. 8 celebration. The ecumenical Global Council of Indian Christians, which is based in the city and organized the event, is involved in rehabilitation work for the Orissa victims.
About 150 people from various Churches joined the celebrations held at Protestant-run United Theological College in Bangalore, 2,060 kilometers south of New Delhi. They sang together hymns of praise and joy.
The Churches and their institutions gave the guests pots and other household items, clothes and sweets. They also shared a Christmas cake, and sang Christmas carols. Some of the Orissa visitors performed a tribal dance depicting the birth of Jesus.
Retired Methodist Bishop Sampath Kumar told UCA News the faith of the simple women amazed him and made the event the most meaningful celebration in his life. "We celebrate Christmas in our fullness, but they celebrated it in an utter hopeless situation," he remarked. more