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FEATURES |
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ORISSA
CHRISTIANS STILL TOO AFRAID TO GO HOME |
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Monday, 7 September
2009: Orissa Christians still too afraid to go
home. Thousands of Indian Christians displaced after
attacks by Hindu extremists are still in fear of going
home, warns Release International.
One year after the murder of a Hindu leader triggered a
wave of violence against Christians in Orissa, thousands
of refugees are still living in temporary camps and
slums.
The head of Release International, Andy Dipper, recently
travelled to India where he met some of the refugees and
visited one town where 100 Christian families are
sheltering after being forced out of their homes just 10
kilometres away.
He heard from many of the refugees that they fear being
killed or driven out again if they return after
militants told them that they can only go back home if
they convert to Hinduism.
“The violence had been carefully planned,” he says.
“Hindus in the village put saffron flags on their
houses, so that the rioting mob passed them by. Trees
were cut down and laid on the road to slow down the
police.
“The houses of the Christians were completely destroyed,
as was their church building. Hindu militants have now
built a temple on the same site.”
Release International estimates that as many as 4,000
refugees are still living in tents. It warns that many
of the refugees have drifted into the slums of Orissa’s
capital rather than risk returning home and that those
still living in the tents have nowhere else to go since
the government started closing camps across the state in
the last few months.
Despite the difficulties, the refugees remain steadfast
in their faith.
One refugee told Mr Dipper: “To know and suffer for
Jesus is valuable. Suffering for Christ is worthwhile.
We have a burden that one day these people will know the
Lord, so we must remain here to share His word with
them.”
Another refugee said: “I pray that God will let people
go back to their homes to live as Christians and will
keep their children safe with health and education. I
pray for the persecutors, that God will touch their
hearts, show them the bad they have done and bring them
to faith.”
Release International is calling on Christians to pray
for the safe return of those still stranded at the
camps.
“There is still much need for prayer,” said Mr Dipper.
“While the violence has subsided in Orissa, official
sources report a growing number of attacks against
Christians in Karnataka and four other states.”
He urged Christians to get involved with the
International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church on
November 15. Release International has put together
resources for use on the day, including a DVD, ‘Faith
Under Fire’.
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This page
is updated on Sep 18, 2009 |
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PRAISE THE ALMIGHTY
10 YEARS CELEBRATION
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