Christian Persecution

MUMBAI, India (AP) — Thousands of Christian-run schools and colleges across India were closed Friday to protest recent Hindu mob attacks on churches and homes in eastern India that have left at least 11 people dead. Violence has rocked Orissa state since the killing of a Hindu leader last week, which police blamed on Maoist rebels but Hindu activists pinned on Christian militants. In apparent retaliation, Hindu hard-liners set ablaze a Christian orphanage Monday, killing a Christian woman and seriously injuring a priest. The violence has spread to include mob attacks on churches, shops and homes. Orissa has a history of Hindu-Christian clashes generally fueled by Hindu suspicions about missionary work among the rural poor. Roughly 30,000 schools were closed Friday to condemn the violence, said Joseph D'souza, president of the All Indian Christian Council. Churches planned hold special services to pray for peace and solidarity, he said.