Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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December 26, 2007

Hindu Mobs in Orissa Torch Churches on Christmas
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1AB5347:A6F02AD83191E160B55418DA49632F5E0531BB26A5003E7B& Hundreds of armed
security personnel sent to tribal-dominated Kandhamal district,
following rampage that saw torching of about 12 churches, attacks on
police, offices of charitable organizations Curfews have been imposed
in four districts in the Indian state of Orissa after rioters attacked
churches, police stations and homes. VOA's Steve Herman reports from
New Delhi that the violence started with a fight over Christmas
decorations.







Indian police officers stand guard in front of church in Darigibadi,
Phulbani district of Orissa, 26 Dec 2007Officials in Orissa say
hundreds of armed security personnel have been sent to the
tribal-dominated Kandhamal district, following a rampage that saw the
torching of about 12 churches, attacks on police and offices of
charitable organizations. At least one person was killed in the
violence.

Authorities say a prominent conservative Hindu figure, 80-year-old
Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, was attacked on his way to a town where
gunfire had broken out over the installation of public Christmas
decorations. Hindu mobs took to the streets to protest the assault on
the official of the VHP, the acronym for the World Hindu Council. The
VHP is active in the area trying to convert Christians to Hinduism.

Media reports say a member of the Kui tribe was hit by a rock and
killed when he was caught between clashing Hindus and Christians.
About 25 other people have been injured in the escalating violence
since Monday.

Vijay Kumar Nayak, who heads the Ashakiran organization, a volunteer
group dedicated to conflict resolution in the troubled district,
blames authorities for not doing enough to prevent violence.

"I feel really sorry about our government and our police department
who cannot control the difficulties and problems. They don't take
precautions," said Nayak. "When everything is finished, the
destruction is done, houses have burned, churches have burned,
Christians are killed, they implement the rules and all that."

On Wednesday, the national Hindu newspaper described the area as a
"virtual war zone," which is now under indefinite curfew.


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