Police Do Little to Protect Christians in Orissa, India

Compass Direct News reports that Christian victims of Hindu extremist violence who have fled to the capital of the eastern state of Orissa said state police have been mere spectators as mayhem continued a 12th consecutive day. Attacks on Christians and their property and institutions began in Orissa's Kandhamal district following the killing of a extremist Hindu leader, Laxmanananda Saraswati, and four of his disciples on Aug. 23. Maoists claimed responsibility for the murders on Sept. 1, though the statement did nothing to slow Hindu extremist violence that Christian leaders say has claimed more than 100 lives. Among those who have fled to Bhubaneswar was Father Prabodha Kumar, a Catholic priest. He was among other fearful sojourners whose mobile phones constantly rang with news of more attacks from their relatives, friends and church members in interior villages of Kandhamal. Fr. Kumar looked deeply troubled after one such phone call yesterday. "My brother has been forced to 'reconvert' to Hinduism, as he was told that if he did not do so, his house would be destroyed," he said.