Conversion, law in Orissa

By Barendra Krushna Dhal



Orissa is burning. In one side communal violence and other side flood mayhem. So overall State is burning. Media in India focusing two issues prominently while foreign media only propagating attack on churches and Christians in Orissa. But the real story of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati murder has been gradullay vanishing from the scene.



No body is bother about the killers of Swamiji and his four disciples, who were shot dead at Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district on August 23. From Pope to other senior Church leaders only making propaganda by high lighting attack on Christians and trying to cover up the murder of a social reformer like Swamiji.



During last 20 years, the number of Christian religious preachers has gone up to 30% in Gajapati, 18% in Kandhamal and 16 % in Sundargarh.



On January 22, 1999, Graham Stains and his two sons were burnt to death at Manoharpur in Anadapur Sub-Division of Orissa’s Keonjhar district. Police arrested Dara Singh as key accused in the case. Dara first got death sentence and later it was relaxed to life sentence.



But real fact was shocking for us, Stains was running a hospital for leprosy patients, where he was forcing innocent Hindu tribals to convert into Christians. WHO had opened a hospital to deal with such issues but why Stains opend a hospital there, the question still remain unanswered?



On February 3, 1999, a Nun Jaklin Merry lodged a FIR with Baripada Police that some Hindu people raped her. When the Nun under went medical test, doctors found that she had physical relationship with others prior to the incident. Why the police not arrest the father and Nun, who had lodged a FIR.



Why church people think, Orissa as a best destination for conversion? In pre-independence days, Britishers were patronizing conversion while after independence, secular forces in the country, making all out effort to see more number of churches should come up and large number of Hindus to convert into Christianity.



In an attempt to check conversion, Orissa as a first State in the country, introduced Orissa Freedom of Religion Act in 1967. On December 13, 1967, the law came into force. Two former Orissa Chief Ministers including Rajendra Narayan Singh Deo and Harekrushna Mahatab were among those persons, who really mastermind behind the law to check conversion in the State. In January 1968, it was published in extraordinary gazette no-2.



Here are some lines of the Act.



Section-3 Prohibition of forcible conversion: No person shall convert or attempt to convert either directly or otherwise, any person, any person from one religious faith to another by the use of force or by inducement or by any fraudulent means nor shall any person abet any such conversion.



Punishment for contravention of the provisions of section-3: Any person contravening the provisions contained in section 3 shall, without prejudice to any civil liability, be punishable with imprisonment of either description, which may extend to one year or with fine, which may extended to Rs 5000 or with both.



Despite this stringent law, hundreds of Christian missionaries doing conversion activities in Kandhamal, the erstwhile Baudha and Phulabani, Ganjam, Parlakhemundi, Sundargarh, Sambalpur , Koraput and several other tribal dominated areas of the State.



They either forcibly or luring innocent tribals, continued their activities while defying law of the land. Both Catholic and Protestants engaged in conversion. Fathers of Catholic churches and Pastors of Protestants bodies patronizing them.



Due to lack of political will and other reasons, the law could not materialize even after 22 years of its enactment as the policy makers failed to put valid provisions in the law. When JB Patnaik was Chief Minister, he passed it on November 29, 1989 in the Orissa Assembly and it was published in gazette on February 23, 1990 under the name of The Orissa Freedom of Religion Rules of 1989. After the act, JB Patnaik lost his post while another Congress man Hemananda Biswal remained as Chief Minister of the State for a brief period, Biswal given a final node to it.



According to the new provisions, any person want to host conversion activity, should seek prior permission to concerned District Collectors. The law also asked Collectors to list out how many religious outfits are working in his jurisdiction. But no collector responded to the law while church people carry out their mission easily. In Orissa, official two persons have applied for conversion while rest have been done illegally and unconstitutionally.

The brutal killing of Swamiji and four of his disciples in Kandhamal could have been avoided if politicians, law makers and babus takes enough steps to check conversion in Orissa.

Development in Kandhamal in last 3 days

• Following more violence attacks and counter attacks state Government has imposed 24 hour curfew in 9 important places of Kandhamal district from Tuesday night.
• As a Christian lady was killed in tribal attack and more number of Churches set on fire, the security agencies found it difficult to keep the situation under control.

• With curfew in almost all important centres, the Christians put in relief camps are leading happy life with free food and protection, the majority tribal people are put to problem in deprivation for lack of food and work.

• With police unleashing a reign of terror with arrest and torture of Tribal people for their alleged involvement in attack on Christians and damaging Churches, the entire Tribal community is loosing its patience and that is resulting in their violent behaviour.

• Last two days state Government has arrested all known members of Sangha School of thought including that of BJP in Kandhamal district.

• Lots of publicity in national and international media on rape of a nun on August 25, who had field a complain in a police station. Hindu forces are accused for the hinious act by Church and section of media, while the police is yet to confirm whether the incident that is reported in police station is right or false.

• The Orissa Hight Court has directed centre to provide more central forces to maintain law and order in Kandhamal and consequently more forces are sent to the district.

I`m secular, claims Advani

Monday, 29 September , 2008, 19:08
Last Updated: Monday, 29 September , 2008, 19:19
PTI

Shillong: Seen as the face of hardline Hindutva, senior BJP leader L K Advani on Monday said he was "very much a secular man" and his party stood for peaceful co-existence of all religious groups.

"I studied in a Christian missionary school and I am very much a secular man," a BJP spokesperson quoted Advani as saying during a close-door meeting he had with religious leaders here.

Representatives from Christian, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist and tribal organisations participated in the meet that was aimed at clarifying the saffron party's stand on the attacks on Christians, churches and prayer halls in Orissa and Karnataka.

Quoting the BJP leader, BJP MP, Kiren Rijiju said, "Religious sentiment should not precede national interest. India is a secular country and no section of the society should be neglected.”

"In Orissa, untouchability among the Hindus and a simmering discontent among the lower strata have drawn people to other religions. Social acceptance is a big dilemma there," the BJP leader said.

Chief Minister Donkupar Roy and other Christian leaders expressed anguish over the attacks on Christians in Orissa and Karnataka.

As the church leaders expressed doubts over the governance of the BJP, Advani assured that he had asked the chief ministers of Orissa and Karnataka to institute judicial probes into the incidents and bring the culprits to book

VHP slams police action on its workers

Bhubaneswar: (Visakeo)Viswa Hindu Parishad State general secretary Gouri Prasad Rath on Wednesday came down heavily on Orissa Government for its failure to nab the killers of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati. Rath also condemned illegal arrest of RSS, VHP and Bajarang Dal workers in Kandhamal district. The police illegally arresting Hindus while the killers of Swamiji moving freely, Rath alleged. He further alleged that the police excess on Hindus would affect the peace talks initiated by the State Government.

Police have arrested 35 people including few of our workers without any valid reason, Rath pointed out. Rath said due to curfew and police excess, people in Phulbani, Raikia, G Udaygiri, Tikabali, Tumudibandha, Nuagaon, Gochhapada, Phiringia and Baliguda are suffering a lot.

Forum for Justice visits Kandhamal

Bhubaneswar:(visakeo) A three-members delegation of Hyderabad based Forum for Justice has visited Kandhamal to get a first hand knowledge of communal violence. Former Justice of Andhra Pradesh High Court A Gopal Rao, former IG of Police( CID), Government of Andhra Pradesh, Venkateswarullu and Forum general secretary Rajeswar Rao were among those in the delegation, which vistted the district and held talks with District Collector, SP and other officials over this issue. The delegation also visited Jalespata Ashram, where Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his disciples were shot dead on August 23. It also visited Raikia, Baliguda and G Udayagiri areas of Kandhamal. The delegation will later release its fact find report.

Police atrocity on Kandha Tribe – Main factor for present situation.

Bhubaneswar, (visakeo). The team led by State President, Hindu Jagaran Samukhya, Ashok Sahu accompanied by Ajit Patnaik, the General Secretary and Advocate Rabi Patnaik, Member Central Body and some press reporters visited the affected areas and personally met people who have been subjected to police torture in the district. Though 36 days passed after the brutal murder of Swamijee and four others by a group of 28/30 armed assailants, the State Government has miserably failed to nail down a single culprit. But on the other hand, with the help of Rapid Action Force from the Centre, a reign of Police Terror has been unleashed through out the district leaving nine Kandh Tribes dead by Police Bullets and hundreds with injuries that include women and minors.
Among the detainees in the Jail is Sunita Pati, mother of a two months old baby, separated from her sibling and tortured for more than 80 hours in Police custody and produced before Magistrate only after Shri Sahu protested before the District authorities. Persons jailed include three school going minors Gokul Konhar, aged 15 years (10th class); Dilip Mullik, aged 14 years, (9th class) and Manoj Pradhan, aged 20 years on their way back home from the Bus Stop, who were picked up by the RAF after merciless beating. A mother (Mani Mullick) with her two minor daughters (Poppy and Chandni, both below 13) was returning from the market when curfew was relaxed at Raikia. They were picked up by the Police, badly beaten up and now in Jail custody. The minors should have been produced before Juvenile Court and not kept in the general ward in the Jail. Persons who accompanied the deceased Banadeo Pradhan (with bullet piercing his forehead, to the nearby hospital were picked up from, tortured in police custody for 80 hours and then jailed without any medical treatment.
At Gundhari, a Christian dominated village, the lone house of Rajendra Digal, a Kandh was attacked and hacked to death by Sujit Nayak, a notorious Christian militant of the area, while Tarini Nayak and another were holding the victim tight in presence of the wife of the deceased. Sujit Nayak is freely moving in company of police officials and despite protest by the eye witnesses is not being brought to book.
At Gundhari, the militant Christians are making country made explosives four of which are in possession of the Kandh tribes, but none dares to handover those to Police for fear of arrest and torture. Due to the partisan action of the Police, the local tribal have lost trust on the system and finally they might have to arm themselves with weapons from the Maoist arsenals which is on easy reach in the area. The government is pushing them into the lap of the Maoists, Shri Sahu alleged.

As long as such blatant discrimination against the local Kandh tribe continues and the efforts by the Chief Minister to politicize the issue for electoral gain by separating the Tribes from the rest of Hindus continue, restoration of normalcy in the area is too remote, Shri Sahu, alleged. Maoists who are active in the nearby Gajapati district and all other southern districts bordering Andhra Pradesh and Chhatisgarh are just ready to seize the opportunity to spread their tentacles to Kandhmal crossing which they had already attacked the police training centre, months back at Nayagarh, only 90 k.m. away from Bhubaneswar, the State capital. The Church has been frantically trying to aid the Maoists by separating the tribes from the rest of Hindus in the area. This is part of a grand design, that is being fuelled by the blatantly partisan handling of the prevailing situation by the administration, Shri Sahu warned.
Since 24th August, prohibitory orders and curfew clamped in the district has prevented ‘common men’ daily wage earners and the poor and indigent from earning their livelihood. They are starving in a climate of terror unleashed by local Police. Indiscriminate arrests of innocent tribals and uninterrupted torture in police custody has betrayed the public trust on the administration and the police. Ironically, only Christians and non-tribals are fed in the government run relief camps. This sort of blatant discrimination has further widened the decades old animosity among the warring sectors in the population.
Reacting to the ‘Special Package’ declared by the Chief Minister on the 27th Sept. at Phulbani the District Hqtrs, Shri Sahu compared the offer with ‘Lollypop’ to entice kids, but on the other continue repressive measures only against the Kandh tribes in the name of maintenance of ‘law and order’. Most of the measures promised in the so called ‘special package’ constitute the constitutional duties of a government and the rule of law to deliver justice to the people. The expeditious disposal of land disputes and withdrawal of privileges to the persons with false certificates have been part of government negligence for decades despite a High Court writ to that effect. On 28th the government sponsored meeting at Chakapad in presence of local ADM on the dias alongwith Lambodar Konhar has exposed the government effort to ‘divide and rule’ the tribes. In contrast, congregations to pay homage to Swamijee and others killed in recent troubles were disallowed at G. Udayagiri and else where in the District. Such discriminatory treatment, partisan arrests, torture in custody, and reign of terror, besides sectarian politics must first stop, if the government is sincere in bringing back normalcy in the area. The killers of Swamijee are known to the police and the CM, who must be brought to book by the state government to regain public trust.

Naveen visit flood hits people in Balianta Block

Balianta/Bhubaneswar:(visakeo) As politics over Orissa floods reaching at its climax, Chief Minister, who earlier took airway to see the plights of flood, hit people, on Friday found moving around few flood hits areas on foot, neighbouring the State Capital.







The Chief Minister walked down to temporary shelters installed on National Highway No-203 connecting Bhubaneswar to Puri and enquired about their problems and later visited Balianta block. BJD MLA Sashibhuan Behera and Khurda Collector NC Jena helped the Chief Minister in getting proper root to reach out the marooned.







The people in Balianta block apprised the Chief Minister about the ground realities and sought his personal intervention into the relief and rescue operations. Chief Minister heard flood victims very patiently and assured them for all help.







Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition JB Patnaik, not missed the Good Friday, he along with few of his supporters distributed foods among flood victims in Pipili and few other areas. The former Chief Minister however alleged that due to mismanagement in relief work, hundreds of marooned still crying for foods.







However, the flood situation in Mahanadi deltaic region was grim as receding waters exposed the miseries of nearly 42 lakh-affected people and fragile relief machinery.







As the death toll due to the deluge stood at 56, trails of destruction could be seen in the worst-affected Kendrapara, Cuttack, Jagatgsinghpur and Puri districts where at least 240 breaches on embankments still left eight lakh people marooned, official sources said.







With flood waters sweeping away villages, the agony of those affected compounded in the absence of adequate relief material, drinking water, clothes and polythene sheets, they said.







While the number of districts hit by floods rose to 19 including Nuapada, the number of villages completely marooned by floods increased to 871, they said. About 26,000 people in some villages of Delang area of Puri district and around 15,000 at Kujang area in Jagatsinghpur were yet to get relief, he said.







In a bid to ensure speedy rehabilitation of the affected people, Chief Minister Patnaik has asked the officials to complete assessment of the extent of damage caused to houses by the floods within 15 days.







Farmers were hit hard as about five-lakh hectare of crop area was submerged while the gushing floodwaters breached several roads at over 900 points, severely affecting road communications.

56 die in Orissa floods; eight-lakh remained marooned

Bhubaneswar:(Visakeo) Death toll in Orissa floods mounted to 56 on Thursday as the number of breaches on embankments rose to 240, engulfing fresh areas in Mahanadi deltaic region where about 8,00,000 people still remained marooned.



As many as 140 fresh breaches took place on embankments in the Mahanadi river system, taking the number of breaches to 240 and leading to submergence of about 65 more villages in coastal Orissa, Revenue Secretary G V V Sarma said.



With flood waters sweeping away village after village, the number of people affected by the devastating deluge mounted to 42.2 lakh, he said adding the number of districts hit by floods also rose to 19 with the inclusion of Nuapada.



While the number of villages completely marooned increased to 871 today from 827 yesterday, about 26,000 people in some villages in Delang area of Puri district and around 15,000 in Kujang area in Jagatsinghpur were yet to get relief assistance, he said.



Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who reviewed the situation and relief operation, asked the officials to complete survey of the extent of damage caused by the floods within 15 days.



Government employees were asked to remain in their respective headquarters during Dussehra festival.



Death toll due to floods, which stood at 48 yesterday, mounted to 56 with four casualties each reported from Cuttack and Kalahandi districts.

7 lakh still marooned even as water recedes

BHUBANESWAR: (visakeo)As rains relented and flood water started to withdraw in many parts, the State Government mounted relief operation to reach out to the marooned in Kendrapara, Puri and Cuttack.


Of the 41 lakh declared flood-hit in 19 districts, Nuapada was added to the list today, close to seven lakh were still marooned with more breaches and submergence. Large parts in Delang and Kanas blocks of Puri district remained cut off for the seventh day as relief teams could not reach the remote pockets because of strong current in the rivers.

Similar situation prevailed in Kendrapara and Cuttack forcing the Government to airdrop relief materials in Delang, Garadpur, Marshaghai, Nischintkoili as well as Dampada. As many as 4,800 packets were distributed from air on the day by IAF choppers.

The administration specifically focussed on making available babyfood in the affected areas. About 90 tonne babyfood was despatched to the affected areas today.

Meanwhile, casualties in the current flood reached 56 with eight more cases reported today. Of the 5,915 affected villages, close to 1,000 remained cut off.

With water receding, the Government started assessing the damage as a Central team is likely to visit soon to take stock.

As of now, 1.33 lakh houses have been damaged, while crops on 4.63 lakh hectare stand destroyed, an official source said. The Government put the number of road breaches at close to 1,400 and river embankments at 91.

The Government hoped that the situation would improve as rains have stopped and flow in the Mahanadi was dropping fast.

On Thursday, the flow stood at 3.42 lakh at Munduli and just one gate was open at Hirakud. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik reviewed the situation today, and directed the authorities to reach out to the cut-off areas.

Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Manmohan Samal said the Government was holding talks with banks so that zero balance accounts could be created. It will facilitate delivery of compensation to victims, he told mediapersons here.

However, fresh threat emerged for the residents of Bhadrak as the Salindi river was in spate after torrential rain in its catchment.

The administration has issued a warning to locals not to venture near the river bank.

Bajarang Dal warns strong action

Bajarang Dal warns strong action

Bhubaneswar:(visakeo) Bajarang Dal State convener Umashankar Acharya on Thursday warned that if church people carry out conversion activities at Anadapur area in Keonjhar district on September 27, the outfit would give befitting reply to them.
Acharya said that church people would host a Duban( a type of dip to see Jesus Christ) at Patana village, where 2,000 converted Christians would join. Acharya said that in Ghasipura block, a special arrangement has been on to host the Duban work. They also invited several foreigners to witness the programme. "We have asked the officials to stop it or face the music of Bajarang Dal," he added

Advani calls for national debate on religious conversion

Advani calls for national debate on religious conversion

Bhubaneswar:(visakeo) BJP leader and former Deputy Prime Minister, LK Advani has called for a national debate on religious conversion. "A free and honest democratic debate on the issue of religious conversions is the need of the hour," the fire brand BJP leader told reporters here.
Advani, who is NDA's Prime Ministerial candidate for coming Lok Sabha Polls, however said he has discussed the issue with religious leaders and bishops and all have supported the idea of a national debate and inter-religious dialogue. "However, a campaign against conversion cannot and must not become a campaign against any community," he said.

"In our country there can be no justification for violence or vandalism in the name of religion," said the BJP stalwart.

Responding to a query on the demand of Hindu religious leaders for a ban on conversions, Advani said he was against it.

"It's true that senior leaders, including Mahatma Gandhi, were strongly opposed to the idea of religious conversion. But nobody suggested a legal ban. The matter was also discussed and debated in the Constituent Assembly, but no legal ban was imposed," said Advani.

Conversion is banned in Indonesia, while in some other countries it is treated as a crime with provision of capital punishment, he reminded all. In India, few Congress-ruled states in the past have also enacted laws prohibiting conversion by inducement, said the former Union minister.

On the Centre threat to invoke Article 355 in Orissa and Karnataka, he said: "I will say that the two states have controlled the situation that was created. But, what happened in Nandigram?"

The senior leader pointed out to similar ethnic and communal clashes in parts of Assam, where non-Assamese people were targeted and attacked and in Maharashtra, where a single party targeted non-Marathi-speaking people, as the government watched.

Advani, who made an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas along with chief minister Naveen Patanik, said the devastation caused by Mahanadi and its tributaries is "tremendous".

RSS, UBSS tender service to flood victims of Orissa

Bhubaneswar: (Visakeo) Rashtriya Swamsevak Sangh and Utkal Biparna Sahayata Samiti have tendered service to lakhs of flood victims of Orissa. RSS and UBSS volunteers are distributing relief materials while several medical team with ambulances also visiting various places to provide medical service to the flood victims. On August 20, relief materials were distributed at Gania, Bhapur, Kantilo and Khandapada of Nayagarh district and 42 Mouja of Cuttack. While cooked food distributed among 24,000 belonging to 25 gram panchayats of Banki block of Cuttack, which was worst affected due to the floods. 4,000 in 42 Mouja also received cooked food for two days.
Similarly, relief materials were also distributed in these areas from August 20 to 22. Cooked food and relief materials were distributed among 2,000 people on August 20 and 21 in Kujanga, Tirtole and Biridi blocks of Jagatsinghpur. Relief and cooked foods also distributed at Marsaghai and Garadapur blocks of Kendrapara on August 20, 21 and 22. While cooked food have been providing to some 1,500 people in Balianta and Balipatana blocks of Khurda since last few days. On September 20, 8-member medical teams treated some 2,000 people in Baidyaswar area of Cuttack. A separate medical team also visited Boudha district and treated some 300 people in Dhalapur, Kusanga and Harabhanga panchayats. On September 21 and 22, 12 medical teams including three medical ambulances visited Pipili and Dandamakundapur area of Puri and treated 2,500 people and another four member doctor team camping at Kendrapara town while 8 member team visited Rajkanika, Rajnagar, Pattamundai and Aul in Kendrapara to render medical service to flood victims. The medical teams visiting the affected people and rendering free medical services and distributing medicines, UBSS State chief Saroj Kumar Kar said. He further said that relief material and other essential commodities are also being distributed. Utkal Biparna Sahayata Samiti on September 23 dispatched as many as 5 medical ambulances to flood hit areas of Banki, Badamba, Narasinghpur, Balianta, Balipatana, Niali and Kantapada. State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Manmohan Samal flagged off the medical ambulances in the premises of the UBSS. RSS Saha Khetra Pracharak Ajit Prasad Mohapatra, Pranta Pracharak Jagadish Khadanga, Biswamitra Pati, Manu Patra, Pranta Pracharak Simanchal Khatua and UBSS secretary Abhaya Kumar Pati were among those present. Since September 20, UBSS through its volunteers distributing relief materials in all most all flood affected areas of the State. Cooked food and other essential commodities are also being distributed among the flood victims. As many as 30 team comprising more than 1,500 volunteers of UBSS working in various flood affected areas and distributing relief materials, RSS Seva Pramukha Saroj Kumar Kar said. He further added that relief work would be step in the coming days. He said that 17 medical ambulances with medical teams have been deployed at flood affected areas. It may be noted here that recent flood has affected some 40 lakhs people in 18 districts, mostly costal district. While more than 6 lakhs people still under water and properties worth Rs 2,500 crore have been damaged due to the floods.

MEETING OF CONSPRITACY AT RAIKIA TO KILL SWAMIJI

MEETING OF CONSPRITACY AT RAIKIA TO KILL SWAMIJI

Time : 2.00 P.M. to 6.00 P.M. Date : 09.08.2008
Place : Kalumaha

People present :
1. Krushna Paraseth Tumudibandha with 25 other persons in 2 vehicles
2. Gajapati Mandal Tumudibandha with 25 other persones in 2 vihicles
3. Nakul Nayak, Ex-M.P. Brings 12 persons from Kotagarh and Tumudibandha in his own vehicle.
4. Mans Singh Brings mone that 25 persons from Daringbadi and Brahmanigaon in 2 vehicles
5. Bijaya Kumar Parichha Raikia NGO “AJKA’’ brings 12-15 persons from Deegi
6. Harihar Das Raikia NGO ‘’ASRA’’
7. Sukant Nayak Raikia NGO “SAHARA’’
8. Nalin Nayak Raikia ‘’BAPIST PASTER’’
9. Chandra Nayak Raikia NGO ‘’LOVE INDIA’’
10. Sisir Parichha R.I. Indragarh with 12 persons
12. Lalit Digal Teacher Sugudabadi with 10 persons from Sugudabadi
13. Raju Parichha Raikia
14. Ranjan Digal Raikia
15. Buti Nayak Gundhani
16. Pradiup Nayak Raikia
17. Atulya Nayak Barakhamba with 10-15 persons from Kurtamgarh
19. Sisir Mallick Kurtamgarh, with 10 persons from Kurtamgarh in own vehicle
20. Alfas Baliarsingh Raikia Church Father.

Present Persons more that 150 (Appx).

1. The leaflets against Swamiji were distributed after Xeroning at ‘’Lenka Telecom Center’’ near Raikia Block,
2. ‘’Sahoo Holet’’ was asked to prepare meals for 150 people.
3. Special Brach G.Udayagiri have investigated the matter and reported it the Government on 12.08.2008.

LIST OF CONSPIRATORS AND KILLERS WITH VENUE AND DATE

1.Padangi Church. Dtd. 14.08.2008.

Ameeting arranged by thefollowing persons to murder Swamijii
1. Philmon Digal
2. Suratha Digal
3. Raut Digal-Father Kalasina Digal, Padirpada, G.P. Taladandikia, Block:Phiringia
4. Dauda Digal – Father Paika Digal, Padirpada, G.O. Taladandikia, Block: Phiringia
5. Folman Digal
Some persons also attend the meeting from Pabingia Village.

2. Manas Ranjan Singa, Advocate, Brahamnigaon of Alnijari, used maruti WagonR with parten BBidyafhar Mallick & Tapan Digal are invoved.
3. In the name of C.S.C. the following Organuisaion have materialized the killing Gram Pragati, Jana BVikash- Father Bijaya, World Vision, AIM ASIA
a. The Persons involved are
Chita Singa- Clerk, D.I. office at Balliguda
Rej. Singh- Clerk , D.I. Office at Balliguda

4. Attacked by the persons
1. Sadanada Digal – Gandagoan, CISF
2. Salman Digal- Gandagaon, CISF
3. Arun Digal (Body)- Gandagaon, CISF
4. Samir Digal – Gungi
5, Raju Nayak-Bekra
6. Chadra Kand Digal- Rudabidingia
7. Ladukishor Digal- Bekra
8. Prabina Kumar Digal- Bekra
9. Pramid Digal – Rakibahnja
10. Rajendra Digal- Raibhanja
11. Little Pradhan- Kalinga (Sarapanch)
12. Jepe Digal- Dekanadi

5. The following persons gave shelter to the killers
1. Satyapriya Ranjit
2. Sanatana Parija
3. Tajeswar Nayak (Lecturer Balliguda)
4. Kuna Majhi
5. Sarata Majhi (Panchaya Secretary)
6. Sidhartha Digal (Patamaha)
7. Thomas Digal (Paramaha)
8. Pradeep Maharathi (D.I.Clerk)

6. Rupees 40 Lakhs) withdrawn by Bijoy (Father) From SBI Balliguda Branch on the eve of Swamiji’s assassination.

7. After the assassination the villagers detained the following vehicle,
TATA-407 bearing No. OR-08D-0675
YAMAHAbearing No. OR12A-0353
Hero Honda Passion bearing No- OR12-3235

16-member delegation attends National Executive of BKS

Bhubaneswar:(Visakeo)- A 16-member delegation from Orissa led by its president Pujya Swami Pranarupananda Saraswati attended the national executive of Banabasi Kalyan Ashram, which held at Bangalore from September 19 to 21, BKS media cell chief Sumanta Kumar Panda said on Thursday. Around 500 representatives from across the country attended the executive meet, which discussed various issues of the country. Delegates while condemning the brutal murder of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and for of his disciples at Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district on August 23, however demanded death sentences for the killers. They also asked Orissa Government to strictly implement anti-conversion and anti-cow slaughter laws. The delegates also seek ban on NGOs working for conversion in Orissa and elsewhere in the country.
BKS general secretary Dr Laxmikanta Das, organizing secretary Rajendra Madala, Biswanath Pradhan, Prakash Betala, Ranjan Pradhan and Mahiram Mahanta were among those in the delegation.

HJS alleges double standard on part of police

Bhubaneswar:(visakeo)- Hindu Jagaran Samukhya State general secretary Basudev Barik has alleged that the Balasore Police did not taken action against few church people, after they were found in conversion activities in the district. He said the police illegal arresting Hindus in Kandhamal while the same police keeping mum on conversion activities and letting free to the church people.
Barik alleged on September 23, church run Balasore Service Society (BSS) had organized a health camp, where they tried to convert at least 5 people into Christianity. The local protested and took the church people to near by Durgadevi Police Station but the police set them free. One Jayant Kumar Jena has filed an FIR against the church people. If police did not take action against them, HJS would resorted to violent protest, Barik added.

Khetrabasi Baba passes away

Bhubaneswar: (Visakeo)-Chief of Mahima cult and 113-year-old Pujyapada Khetrabasi Baba early on Thursday passed away at Nanakar Sidha Pitha near Ratnagiri under Balichandrapur Police limits of Jajpur. He took his last breath at 3.30 early on the day. Khetrabasi Baba was chosen the chief of Mahimagadi way back in 1992 and since then, he is moving around to spread Mahima culture. He was a social reformer, who right from the beginning of his childhood, started writing on various issues and tender social service to the poor and downtrodden. Due to his active role, thousands of people from Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Bihar have following Mahima culture. Several religious leaders and preachers condoled the death of Baba and offered floral tributes to the departed soul.

District level Sradhanjali Sabha for Swamiji

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)Swami Laxmananda Saraswati Sradhanjali Samiti on Tuesday hosted district level Sradhanjali Sabha in Karanjia, Keonjhar, Anadapur, Talcher, Nupada, Balasore, Bhadrak, Rourkela, Sundargarh, Angul, Dhenkanal, Bhawanipatana, deogarh, Bargarh, Balangir. Hundreds of Sadhus and Santhas in their respective districts hosted Sabha and paid floral tributes to Swamiji, who was gun down by church sponsored militant at Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district on August 23, exactly one month back. Anadamargi, Shri Arobinda, Gayatri Pariwar, Nigamananda, Asaram Bapu, Rama Dev and Mahima cult joined the Sradhanjali Sabha and remembered Swamiji. They also submitted memorandums to district collectors in their respective areas demanding immediate arrest and death sentence for the killers of Swamiji and his disciples. Rest district would host the Sabha in coming days as due to floods, it was postponed, Samiti State spokesman Simanchal Khatua said.

UBSS sends five medical ambulances to flood hit areas

Bhubaneswar(visakeo)- RSS backed Utkal Biparna Sahayata Samiti on Tuesday dispatched as many as 5 medical ambulances to flood hit areas of Banki, Badamba, Narasinghpur, Balianta, Balipatana, Niali and Kantapada. State Revenue and Disaster Management Minister Manmohan Samal flagged off the medical ambulances in the premises of the UBSS. RSS Saha Khetra Pracharak Ajit Prasad Mohapatra, Pranta Pracharak Jagadish Khadanga, Biswamitra Pati, Manu Patra, Pranta Pracharak Simanchal Khatua and UBSS secretary Abhaya Kumar Pati were among those present. Since September 20, UBSS through its volunteers distributing relief materials in all most all flood affected areas of the State. Cooked food and other essential commodities are also being distributed among the flood victims. As many as 30 team comprising more than 1,500 volunteers of UBSS working in various flood affected areas and distributing relief materials, RSS Seva Pramukha Saroj Kumar Kar said. He further added that relief work would be step in the coming days. He said that 17 medical ambulances with medical teams have been deployed at flood affected areas.

Ban all church sponsored NGOs, demands Naga Santha

Bhubaneswar: Go Gita Gibinda Chetana Parishad chief Naga Santha Krushna Das has demanded to ban all church sponsored NGOs working in tribal areas of the State. He alleged that the police are sheltering the killers of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and helping the accused to escape easily. 

All church sponsored NGOs are patronizing illegal conversion and exploiting innocent tribal Hindus in Kandhamal, Gajapati, Rayagada and Phulabani, he alleged. 

Coming down heavily on Orissa Government for its minority appeasement attitude, the saint however further alleged that the Government not allowing Swamiji's disciple to take out rallies but the same Government helping church people to conduct peace rallies and other activities.  The Government should ban entry of church into Orissa and strictly implement anti-conversion laws, he added.

Science Exhibition held in Sishu Mandir

Bhubaneswar: Dharma Vihar Saraswati Sishu Mandir hosted a science exhibition here for Class-VII students. 82 kid scientists have displayed their innovative techniques and scientific thoughts at the exhibition. School managing committee chief Debendra Das inaugrauted the exhibition while Headmaster Ananda Chandra Sahu addressed students.  

Naresh Kumar Das, Kalpana Subudhi and Santosh Kumar Sahu were among present as judges. Saroj Kumar Mishra attended the closing ceremony. Jitendra Kumar Hota coordinated the exhibition. 

Swamiji's killer sheltering in relief camps

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-The killers of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati have been sheltering at various relief camps, alleged Dharma Jagaran Samiti State general secretary Binoy Kumar Bhuyan.

Bhuyan, who led a delegation of Samiti to riot hit areas, found that several people belonging to Christian community burning their houses to get more compensation while few others suspected to have plotted the killing of Swamiji. He further alleged that the police helping them and sheltering them. He also demanded more relief for the Hindus, who have been affected due to violence.

Protesters burn Sonia's effigy in Baliguda

Kandhamal: (visakeo)-Hundreds of agitating people in Baliguda area of Kandhamal on Tuesday burnt the effigy of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. They alleged that Sonia helping the killers and pressuring Orissa Government. Balia Mallick's postmortem was also conducted, who was died in police firing . They further demanded immidaite arrest of killers of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati.

Police asking Church people to lodge FIR against Hindus

Bhubaneswar:15/9(Visakeo) Bajarang Dal national co-convener Subash Chauhan on Monday alleged that the police instead nabbing the killers of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his disciples, asking church people to lodge FIRs against Hindus.  

"The police asking church people to lodge FIRs against the Hindus otherwise they will lost their relief benefits," Chauhan alleged adding such incidents have been reported from Kandhamal and Balangir districts of the State. 
Where church people reluctant to lodge FIRs, police on their own lodging FIRs against the Hindus and illegally arresting them, the Bajarang Dal leader added. 

Citing an incident, Chauhan clarified that when Laxman Diggal and Sadananda Diggal( two Christian )denied lodging FIRs against the Hindus in connection with a house torch case in Barikama area of Kandhamal, police threatened them to stop their relief if they not lodge FIRs against the Hindus. Local OIC Nayak Babu taken signature of Balakrushna Joni of Phiringia and Prasad Kanar of Rabingia village and then taken signature of Sadananda and Laxman and lodged FIRs against innocent Hindus, he added. 

Both Sadananda and Laxman had told VHP State general secretary Gouri Prasad Rath that police pressuring them to lodge FIR against the local Hindus. He further alleged that police in Balangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Gajapati and several areas, have been illegally arresting Hindus without any valid reason.

Sangh hits back at Sonia, asks to control her emotion for Church

Bhubaneswar: :15/9(Visakeo)  Orissa unit of RSS, VHP on Monday hit back at Congress president Sonia Gandhi and asked her to control her emotion for the church people. The hard-hitting statement of the three outfits came hours after Sonia attacked on them and accused them of inflaming religious bigotry and enthusiasm through vicious communal campaign to divide the society in Orissa.

"The Congress President has no idea on history and her statement clearly demonstrates her emotions for church people," VHP said in a statement. On Friday, while addressing a Press conference here, VHP president Ashok Singhal had alleged that 10 Janpath putting pressure on Orissa Government to help the killers to escape easily.

"We strongly condemned Sonia's church appeasement statement and it was purely politically motivated to satisfy the minorities," VHP State general secretary Gouri Prasad Rath.  "What we are witnessing in states like Orissa most recently is a carefully orchestrated ploy by the BJP and its sister organisations to inflame religious prejudices and passions," Sonia told party officials at CWC meeting.

Referring to this, VHP said it was Sonia and few of her close aids, who actually orchestrated Swami Laxmananda Saraswati's murder and now trying to cover the matter. RSS State spokesman Simanchal Khatua accused Sonia as main conspirator behind Swamiji's killing asked the Congress Chief to refrain from church appeasement. Sonia only knows anti-Hindu propaganda, Khatua alleged.

BKA criticize police action on tribal women in Gajapati

Bhubaneswar: :15/9(Visakeo)  Banabasi Kalyan Ashram on Monday alleged that local police with the help of paid goons of church, have been creating terror in Gajapati district. In protest against this move, a group of women met district collector and SP seeking protection, said BKA State general secretary Dr Laxmikanta Das.

A Hindu youth commit suicide protesting police excess

Padmapur/Bargarh: :15/9(Visakeo)  One Premaraj Patel of Shaktavata village in Padmapur block of Bargarh has committed suicide protesting police excess and illegal detention of Hindus in the area. According to reports, two including Premaraj and Hemanta Tripathy of the same village had taken poison protesting police action while Premaraj died late night on Sunday. Premaraj's wife Mamamta Patel alleged that due to police excess, her husband committed suicide. Police was searching him in connection with the violence cases in the district. "My husband had no role in the violence and coming under mental harassment, he committed suicide," Mamata alleged. "I have two daughters, what can I do now," she added helplessly. Similarly, Hemanta Tripathy, son of Mahadev Tripathy is under going treatment while his condition stated to be critical. Police have illegally arrested 16 villagers

Conversion is an international conspiracy, claims Gajapati Maharaja

Bhubaneswar: Gajapati Maharaja of Puri Dibya Singh Dev has alleged that systematic campaign to convert the native tribals to Christianity and the slaughter of cows had led to social unrest in Kandhamal in Orissa. 
  
He demanded stern action against individuals and organisations undertaking social and other activities with the overt and covert objective of carrying out religious conversions. 

These organisations,  Dibya Singh Dev said, should be banned in the state. This apart, the state government, must strictly enforce the provisions of Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, and enact suitable ammendments in the Act to more effectively prevent exploitation of poverty, illiteracy and innocence of the ribals for carrying out the religious conversion. 
  
The process of conversion and the cow slaughter were acting like fuel and igniting fire, hurting the religious sentiments and fomenting communal tension in Kandhamal, they said and urged the state government to strictly enforce the provisions of the Orissa Prevention of Cow Slaughter Act, 1980. 
  
The Gajapati Maharaja of Puri also appealed to the state government to order impartial, fair and speedy proceedings to unravel the truth behind the barbaric act of killing of Swami Laxmananada and four of his disciples on the Janmastami day and provide exemplary punishment to the guilty.
They further appealed to the government to enquire as to whether adequate security was provided to the Swami who had apprehended threat to his life and was assaulted several times in the past. 
  
They demanded strong action against the officer and employees found guilty of negligence and breach of duty. 
  
He also strongly alleged that some foreign sources might behind the killing of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and the State as well as Central Government must ensure action against the killers. The Puri King said that if such atrocities continue against the Hindu Sadhus and Santhas, a time will come when no Saints and religious preachers dare to come to public for their preaching. 
  
"Swamiji's brutal murder, a wake up call for the Hindus and all should unite to fight evil designs," Gajapati Maharaja added. The attack on Swamiji is an attack on the basic foundations of Indian culture and Hindu way of life, he pointed out. 
  
Further he added that, "For the last 40 years, he had spent his life for the protection of Sanatan Dharma. He devoted all his energy to stop conversions," 
  
Urging all cults of the Hindism as a dharma to become united and fight against the onslaught, if no steps are taken at this moment no one could think of what would be the future of Hindu dharma after 50 years, he said. 
  
"It just like a do or die situation," he said, adding that all should come to protect the Hindu dharma.
Hindus never tried to defame any religions so far but the Church people are making all out effort to make India a Christian Nation. He said Christian population in Kandhamal's was recorded 19,000 in 1951 census while their figure touched at 11.79 lakh in 2001 census. He also added that Church people even patronizing conversion in North-Eastern States. Quoting census figures, the Puri King said Christian population has raised from 12 per cent in 1951 to 30 per cent in 1991 in Manipur followed by Meghalaya recorded 23 per cent in 1951 and it has now reached at 63 in 1991. In Nagaland, 46 per cent Christian population recorded in 1951 but 1991 census report said their population stands at 90 per cent while 90 per cent also recorded in Mizoram in 1991 census. 

The figures itself demonstrates the propaganda of church, Gajapati Maharaja added.  

'K'mal incidents to inspire VHP to work for ending conversions'

Bhubaneswar11/9(visakeo)VHP leader Ashok Singhal on Thursday met Jagadguru Sankaracharya Swami Nischalananda Saraswati at his Gobardhan Mutt. Both the champions of Hindu cause had a close-door meeting for an hour over the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati who was actively preventing conversion and cow slaughter in the tribal areas of the State particularly in Kandhamal district. They expressed grave concern over the failure of the police to nab the killers even after weeks.                                                                                                              

Singhal after the meeting with the Sankaracharya announced that no conversion would be allowed. The killing of Swami Laxamanananda would inspire VHP activists to work more vigorously to end the conversion in the manner Christianity spread world wide after crusification of Jesus, asserted the VHP leader.

Briefing mediapersons on the proceedings of meeting, VHP State leader Subash Chouhan said it was resolved to carry out a month long campaign in Kandhmal. Holy earth from the Samadhi of the slain Swami would be taken in procession to every village of the area and the villagers would be administered oath not to allow any foreign missionary worker or priest into their villages and conversion of their fellow villagers.

The campaign would begin from September 23 till October 23, Chouhan informed. Earlier on the day Ashok Singhal went to Sri Jagannath temple and offered prayers to lord Jagannath. He was accompanied by State functionaries of the VHP. The administration had made elaborate police bandobost for his visit

Conversion will end for ever: Ashok Singhal

Bhubaneswar11/9(visakeo)Bhubaneswar: Viswa Hindu Parishad on Friday asked Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik not to succumb to the pressure of Congress president Sonia Gandhi and various Churches and nab the killers of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati as soon as possible. VHP president Ashok Singhal claimed that Congress President Sonia Gandhi is not only controlling the post Swamiji murder affairs but also putting pressure on Orissa Government to cover up the matter and help the killers to escape easily.  

Starling allegation of Singhalji, a veteran Saffron outfit leader, came few minutes after, he met Chief Minister at his residence seeking strong action against the killers and strict implementation of anti-conversion and anti-cow slaughter laws in the State. "Sonia Gandhi along with her close aids are making all out effort to cover up the matter and planning anti-Hindu propaganda across the globe highlighting attack on Christians," he alleged.

Speaking at a Press Conference here, the VHP president however sought criminal case against Congress Rajya Sabha member and alleged that the MP is dancing according to the tune of 10 Janpath for his political survival. "Nayak is now a days camping at USA to spread anti-Hindu feeling and gather support for the Church people in Orissa," the firebrand Hindu leader said adding we suspect him as a conspirator behind the brutal murder of the octogenarian saint.

"We would not allow conversion in any part of the country including Orissa and VHP would further intensify Swamiji murder issue across the country to high light the terror of Church," the VHP leader said. Churches across the country clearly violating Supreme Court order and illegally converting people to Christianity, he further alleged.

"During my discussion with the Chief Minister, I raised a lot questions with him and also enquired about pressure from Sonia Gandhi and Archbishop Rafael Chinnath on him," he said. "We have also strongly raised all burning issues including police inaction against the killers, illegal arrest of innocent Hindu tribal and appeasement of minorities in relief work," Singhalji pointed out. The Chief Minister should not succumb to pressure from either Sonia Gandhi or from the Churches, he said. 

The Government should impose ban on Churches and organisations working for conversion in the State, he demanded. "I also clearly informed the Chief Minister that if he failed to protect Hindus, which population stands at 3.51 crorer according to 2001 census, it would be very difficult for him to get a hat-trick in Orissa," he argued adding Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi's success, was outcome of his pro-Hindu nature.

The State Government should not follow double standard on relief and rescue operations, he cautioned and asked Orissa Police to withdraw their Maoists theory over Swamiji's brutal murder case.  The Chief Minister has assured us to seriously look into the concerns raised by VHP, he added. VHP State President Bipin Behari Ratho, General Secretary Gouri Prasad Rath, Secretary Dr Pramod Acharya and Bajarang Dal national co-convener Subash Chauhan were among those present at the press meet.

Maoists deny role in Swamiji;s killing

Bhubaneswar: 10/9(VISAKEO): The People's Liberation of Guerrilla Army of the outlawed CPI (Maoists) on Wednesday strongly denied its involvement directly or indirectly in the killing of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and his four disciples at Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district on August 23. 

The claim of the outlawed outfit came to light after the locals and police recovered few posters at Raikia area of the district early on morning. "We have no role in Swamiji's killing, few people are trying to defame our image," the poster issued in the name of PLGA reads. It further reads "we would take stern action against, those who blaming us for the killing of Swamiji,"

Police release sketches of 2 suspected killers of Swamiji

Bhubaneswar:10/9(VISAKEO), Under pressure Orissa Police 18 days after the brutal murder of the Hindu Seer Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and his four disciples at Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district, have issued sketches of two suspected killers on Wednesday. The Crime Branch of State Police, which is looking into the issue, has issued the sketches seeking information from public on the two suspected persons, sources said.

The CB prepared sketches of the duo on basis of description provided by the people who were present during the killing, police sources said. The youths, one in the age group of 20 to 25 years and the other between 30 and 35 years, were suspected to be prime accused in the incident. "Both the youths speak local language as spoken by the people in Koraput district," the sources said, adding both had moustaches and big eyes.

Meanwhile, the People's Liberation of Guerrilla Army of the outlawed CPI (Maoists) on Wednesday strongly denied its involvement directly or indirectly in the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and his four disciples at Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district on August 23.

The claim of the outlawed outfit came to light after the locals and police recovered few posters at Raikia area of the district early on morning. "We have no role in Swamiji's killing, few people are trying to defame our image," the poster issued in the name of PLGA reads. It further reads "we would take stern action against, those who blaming us for the killing of Swamiji.

Communal riots won't happen again - Governor

Bhubaneswar: 10/9(VISAKEO) Orissa Governor M C Bhandare Wednesday asked violence victims in Kandhamal to start life afresh and promised them safety and security, affirming the state government's resolve to prevent recurrence of communal riots in the state.

"Communal riots will not be allowed to take place again. The police, administration and state government are fully geared to protect your life and property," Bhandare said, while interacting with inmates of a relief camp set up for the riot hit people here.

"People must start a new life forgetting their bitter experiences," the Governor said, adding those who have left their homes must return with no fear.

"I am confident that normalcy will return very fast," he said. Observing that some anti-socials are trying to foment trouble taking advantage of the situation, Bhandare said the government would defeat their objectives.

"In a democracy like India, citizens have the right to practice and propagate the religion of their choice and none should have any objection to it," Bhandare, who visited a government-run orphanage, said.

The Governor also visited slain VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati's ashram at Chakapada before winding up his two-day tour of the riot-ravaged district.

Sadhus pay tributes to Swamiji

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-Sadhus and Hindu religious preachers while defying the prohibitory order of 144, congregated here at Freedom Fighters Ground to pay tributes to Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, who was gun down by Church sponsored militant at Jalespata Ashram under Tumulibandha police limits of Kandhamal district on August 23.
The gathering took place even as an order prohibiting the assembly of four or more people was issued here to prevent Hindu groups from carrying out processions to mourn Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati's death. However anticipating trouble, the authorities relaxed the prohibitory order even after at least 50 Hindus were detained at different places.
Launching at attack on Orissa Government, Hindu religious leaders warned for a mass agitation demanding strict implementation of anti-conversion laws and cow slaughtering. They asked Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik for a public debate on conversion. "Orissa Government should take adequate steps to protect Hindu saints," they said.
Raghubir Das Maharaj, Ramachandra Das Maharaj, Mahanta Ramakrushan Das, Satpriya Maharaj, Swami Bhagaban Maharaj, Narayan Baba, VHP State general secretary Gouri Prasad Rath, BJP State president Suresh Pujari, Bajarang Dal national co-convener Subash Chouhan, Bajarang Dal State coordinator Umashankar Acharya, Hindu Jagaran Samukhya State president Ashok Sahu, and secretary Basudev Barik were among those present and pay tribute to Swamiji.

Utkal Mahila Udyoga submits memo to Guv over Kandhamal crisis

Bhubaneswar: (visakeo)-A delegation of Utkal Mahila Udyoga on Saturday submitted a memorandum to Governor MC Bhandare here at Raj Bhawan seeking his intervention into Kandhamal crisis. The women outfit however urged the Governor to visit the violence hit areas and take necessary steps.

The outfit also demanded to provide adequate security to the inmates of Jalespata Kanya Ashram.

"We have demanded to arrest the killers of Swamiji and his disciples and strong action against them," outfit secretary Suchitra Mohapatra said. She demanded women security forces for the violence hit areas.

The Government should release innocent women and withdraw all cases against them, she added. The delegation however sought adequate relief for the victims.

Excess of minoritism danger for country, warns KN Govindacharya

Bhubaneswar(Visakeo)-The recent clashes proceeded by the gruesome murder of popular Saint Sri Laxmanandaji, along with some disciples is the result of decades long aggressive prosylatization campaign of Christian church inspired by exclusive Judaic thinking. It has ultimately ruptured the ehords of social religious harmony in inner lands of Odisha, KN Govindacharya, chief of Rashtriya Swabhiman Andolan, said at a Press conference here on Saturday.

Swami Laxmanandaji was personally known to me since 20 years or more. His dedication to since the poor & weak was phenomenal and inspiring to others. The callous feet dragging attitude of the state government in providing adequately security to Laxmanandanjee resulted in his murder for which the state government is squarely responsible. The government owes explanation to the people. This neglect stems from the psychology of minority politics indulged in by all main stream politicians including those of Congress, BJD, BJP and others, he added.

The continued politics of minoritism has led the people to think that they do not have any government to protect them. Hence people have started taking law in their own hands. The Supreme Court decision on directing the state government not to allow asthikalash yatra is wrong and unfair since there was to be no Asthikalash yatras. Because Asthi was not in existence. To ban the same is preposterous. In this context state government colluded with the petitioners and misguided the court by not bring out the fact about Asthi Kalash Yatra.
The government should understand that they just cannot pamper one section of society and keep the other section ungrudgingly peaceful. So now government is facing its rejections by the people living in Kandhamal and other neighboring districts.


Unfortunately BJP has also become tool of politics of minorityism very much against its ideological roots and orientations of its cadre and supporters. BJP should review its relationship with BJD, should not hesitate to pull itself out of government and be on side of the people and its principles of nationalism. Otherwise it cannot be trusted by the people as custodians of national interest and ideology of Hinduism.
“I appeal to the Christian church to desist the temptations of aggressive proselytization. They should become secular in the true sense of the term. Otherwise they will be held responsible for tarnishing the image of Bharat in the world,” he added.

Militancy and Christianity in Odisha

[By Ashok Sahu, IPS (Retd.)]

The Christianity as a faith is essentially based on the Love, Peace and the Truth as its basic tenets and central theme. But in the name of protecting Christianity, history of the world is colored many a times with human blood. During, before and after the Crusades, series of wars have been fought for peace, and extreme brutality has been perpetrated in the name of God. In India the conversion of Hindus was resorted to by the missionaries with direct patronage from the alien rulers with intent to bring about a permanent change in the mind set of Indians so that the Union Jack could fly permanently over Indian soil. But it was not that easy to change the Hindu mindset which is the product of centuries old practiced way of living. Though, the missionaries realised that for Hindus living was more important than believing, still they pursued their efforts to convert them to Christianity by dividing their society into 'depressed class' and 'high-caste Hindus and Aryans' having come from out-side and the Dravids and the aborigines as 'animists' . They set up schools to condition the young minds with distorted history. Still, they failed. Then they started having boarding schools and picked up children directly from poor and illiterate families particularly the so called 'depressed classes' and the tribal people whom they termed as aborigines.  Later, the missionary boarding schools manufactured clerics for furthering the missionary conversion among the down trodden.

The Portuguese missionaries were notorious for adopting duress and violence to proselytize the natives in Goa, Daman and Due. In the tribal districts of Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and West Bengal it was more by taking advantage of their abject poverty and illiteracy. In the North-East the hill tribes were again treated as 'animists' like the African tribes and  got converted 'en masse' in the 1940s due to their basic ignorance. Between 1941 and 1947, 90% of the tribal population in the districts of Naga hills, Mizo Hills, Khasi Hills and the Garo Hills were converted to Christianity and were tutored to secede from independent India by claiming that they never had any historical link with rest of India. Along with Christianity gun culture was also taught and Phizo from Naga Hills and Laldenga from Mizo Hills were given political asylum in the UK. The MNF and the NSCN had bloody fights with armed forces for decades. And, at last, the indigenous people realised that it was a Christian conspiracy to weaken India whose independence was to detriment the colonial interests of the UK.

The NSCN is notorious for running armed training camps along the Indo-Burmese border for all the armed secessionist outfits and also indulge in regular illegal Arms trafficking and Narcotic trade. The separatist groups in Manipur, Assam, Meghalaya and Tripura were all trained by the NSCN factions operating from the Kachin border in Burma. The NSCN's demand for " 'Nagalim' (Greater Nagaland) for Christ" is well known. Now they are trying to convert the Karbi and the Dimasha tribes in Assam on gun point. Because they have realised that unless the 34 major tribes are converted to Christianity they won't accept common leadership of Nagas. There is regular bloody war in the name of Christ in the Assam, Nagaland and Manipur areas in the North-East.

In Orissa, the Christian churches in the districts of Deogarh, Bargarh, Angul, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal and Gajapati have come into recent record for harbouring the armed Maoists and using them for conversion of poor villagers. It is evident during December riots in Kandhamal district when Bamunigaon police station was attacked by armed Christians and subsequent raid in Sikarama village helped in seizure of twenty guns with ammunitions. Particularly, the Pastors/clerics from Karalla, Tamilnadu and Goa operating in Orissa are using the Maoist activists who serve as a shield against reaction to forced conversion in the area. As a result, the number of crypto-Christians is more than those who are enumerated Christians in the demography figures of 2001. Some of the killers of Swamiji on the 23rd August 2008 incident are reportedly hiding in certain Churches under protection by the armed police from the State in Kalahandi district bordering Kandhamal. It is doubtful, whether the state police would be able to conduct a raid in to the precincts of the Church for the proclaimed 'secular credentials' as stated by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.

Against the known nexus between the Maoists and the Church, the reported involvement of one 'Azad' from PLGA, the guerilla outfit of the terrorist group has come to surface after one week of the gruesome murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, Sadhvi Bhaktimta and two others on 23rd August 2008. The interview to a local newspaper by 'Azad' further strengthens the theory of close nexus between the Church and the terrorist out-fit in Orissa. But the fact remains that the way the attack on the Swamiji and the Ashram was conducted and the way the assailants retreated from the spot is the handy work of local Christian youth with borrowed weapons from the Maoist armory.

On 08/7/2008 there was attack on followers of Swamiji at Tumidibandh by an organized armed group when Madhubaba protested against cow-slaughter. Swamiji had decided to sit on fast-unto death from 22/7/2008 to mobilize public opinion through out the state in protest of government apathy in ensuring security against Christian zealots in the area. Recently, one front organization of the CPI (Maoist) called Loka Sangram Dalit Manch is busy in recruiting suitable tribal youth in the area for their guerilla outfit. Krishna Paraseth, Nakul Nayak, Hemant Nayak and Gajapati Mandal are some of the leading members of the new outfit. In this regard, the failure of the local police is directly proportionate to the future success of the out-fit in the area. The recent developments are only indications for the shape of things to emerge, and a signal to the governments at the Center and the State to prepare the future agenda, as how to deal with the role of Church and the spread of Maoist extremism in the state of Odisha.

Vedanta Keshari Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati

Vedanta Keshari Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati (84) is known as the second incarnation of Lord Parsuram. He took the vow to develop the downtrodden class of the society and made Chakapada his centre of activities in tribal dominated Orissa's Kandhmal district.

Besides social and religious development of the tribal people, he tried for all most four decades to empower them economically and academically. He established a Gurukul pattern of school and a college to teach Sanskrit in Chakapada, a remote place of Kandhamal.

Sankaracharya Kanyashram, a residential school at Jalespatta is another ashram of Swamiji in the district, where education is being imparted to women population with an intention to build their character and bring cultural nationalism among them. While there was a move to ban cow slaughter in India, Swamiji came from Himalaya to Orissa. After the movement of cow protection was over, Swamiji decided to return back to his Tapashya, when the then chief of RSS of Orissa Sri Bhupendra Kumar Basu narrated the sad stories of the tribal population of the State and requested him to help the suffering population. Swamiji went to Phulbani (Kandhmal) with Sri Basu, saw the life of people there and decided to serve the backward people mostly tribals and harijans there and focus to join them into the main stream of the society.

In 1969 he started his first ashram at Chakapada and the ashram became a centre for brisk activities. He renovated the temples: Birupakshya, Kumareswar and Jogeswar and established a Sanskrit school and a college. Swamijee invested his full energy to teach the youth of schedule caste and schedule tribe in Sanskrit and built the youths as disciplined citizen, well civilized, well cultured, well educated, spiritual and protector of the society. Swamiji was well versed in Vedanta philosophy, Sanskrit grammar and was awarded with the honour as "Vedanta Keshari". He not only gave philosophical thoughts to the people but guided them in good cultivation, animal care, and horticulture and so on. The students coming out from the Kalyan Ashram Gurukula are taking leadership of the society in economic, social and cultural fields. Due to his selfless service to humanity he was warded with 'Vivekananda Seva Puraskar' from Kolkata.

He stood firm in Phulbani district for a long time and struggled hard to preserve and protect the tribal culture and dharma. The Sankaracharya of Govardhan Pitha, Puri awarded him with the Upadhi as "Bidharmi Kuchakra Vidarana Maharathi".

While he started his work in Kandhamal, a devoted RSS Pracharak, Sri Raghunath Sethi was associated with him for a long period. He initially selected his place of activities at Chakapada because there is Birupakhya temple. Subsequently he established Kanyashram at Jalespatta, a Seva school at Tulasipur, Banki in Cuttack district and an Ashram at Panigola in Angul district.

The Birupakshya temple at Chakapada is situated in the district of Kandhamal (Phulbani). It stands on an elevation of about 800ft. from sea level. River Burutanga is flowing near the temple. The place is surrounded by beautiful natural sceneries. Chakapada has also been mentioned in the Ramayana. The old age name of Chakapada is Ekachakranagari. Here exists a Shiva temple where Linga is bent to south and all the trees of the place are also bent to south. Through his efforts this place has been declared a tourist place by the govt.

Swamiji was a visionary. It has been clearly established by his activities. Step by step he has transformed the total life style of people of Kandhamal. Satsangh was his unique discovery to eradicate all evils of the society making them prosperous. He thereafter started Satsang at all villages of the district.

He has started night school for adult education. Insisting them to send their children to the school by which the literacy rate amongst tribal and Harijans of that area has increased. He stared a Sanskrit School named Kalyan Ashram, Sanskrit vidyalaya at Chakapada in the year 1969 which is now promoted to a Sanskrit college. For the education of the girls, he established 'Sankaracharya Kanyashram' a wholly residential school at Jalespata in Kandhamal, in the year 1988 where 250 girl students are studying. He also established a school at Banki and ashram at panigola in Angul district. The student of Chakapada and Jalespata taking leadership in all spheres of life and most of them are established in the government service.

The local Harijan and tribal people of Kandhamal became more health conscious after coming to the satsangh. They kept their houses clean, took bath every day, took safe drinking water. Thousands of families of the scheduled caste community gave off taking beef which made them healthy and disease-free. Swamiji taught them not to take liquor or any other alcoholic drinks during Satsang. Then gradually they left the habit of taking such drinks. When they were free form alcohol they got ample time to do some work which they utilize in their field and other activities for their development. More than 500 villages in the district benefited out of Swamiji's noble way to control liquor business as well as people on their own boycotted all intoxicants materials.

Swamiji taught grammar to the students in the class and technique of good cultivation to the villagers in the field. He taught the villagers when and how to cultivate paddy, vegetables etc. By which people of G.Udaygira and Raikia block area produce the best quality and highest quantity of beans in orissa. There also formed a vegetable cooperative society at Katingia by agricultural development the economic conditioned improved a lot. Swamiji always insisted the tribal not to be afraid of any body. He accompanies them to the govt. officials and police stations and made them fearless. They got the courage to face to the collector or SP directly.

Now we can see greenery everywhere in the Kandhmal because it has more forest cover than any other district. It is all due to Swamiji's efforts to insist them to take wood when required. He also established "Maths on the hill tops in several parts of the district and told the villagers that the trees in the hill belong to math and the village community. If emergency arises one can cut a tree and take wood only after the permission of the village committee. That worked tremendously. The joint forest management system which govt. started now has been started by Swamiji from 1970.

After all Swamiji was very much serious for preservation and protection of tribal culture and tradition . He has established and renovated the tribal deity place (Dharanipenu) in several places. Similarly he has started a Rathyatra through out the Gajapati and Kandhamal district during which thousand of tribal are attracted to their own belief.

He often says that the area will not prosper where tear or blood falls. He was against the indiscriminate cow slaughter. He taught the people to protect cattle from slaughtering and forbade them to take beef. In several occasion he staged demonstration, dharanas and participated in the hunger strike in several parts of the state. He toured through out the state for this cause.

He was associated with several socio-cultural and religious organizations. He has established and renovated several temples in different parts of the state. He was a founder member and inspiration of VHP and Kalyana Ashram of Odisha.

His main work in Kandhamal was protecting the tribals from Christian conversion. He tried his level best to reconvert the tribals to their original faith. Inspired by his personality thousands of people in different parts of the states become his disciple.

His main missions are:

1. Making the tribal youth strong, fearless, educated and financially sound.

2. Tribal should be strong in their belief and check conversion of their brethrens and reconvert those who have gone out.

3. Protection of cows

These made him popular through out the states. During two big functions at Chakapada in 1986 and 2007 lakhs of people gathered in that remote place.

As the reconversion gets momentum Christians feared of loosing their ground. So they attacked Swamiji several times(9 times). The ninth attack on him was on 24th December 2007, where he narrowly escaped from being murdered by heavily armed group of 200 people, at Darsingbadi of Kandhamal.

No efforts have been made by the government or administration to arrest the culprits (The Christian militants) and siege the illegal weapons kept by them. The roles of Christian NGO's were not investigated. The attitude of the government was to protect Christians and harass Hindus. Hundreds of Hindus were arrested but a few Christians. Lakhs of rupees were provided to the churches and other Christian organizations as relief, which were not damaged during that period. These things encouraged the Christian militants and they brutally killed Swami Laxmananda Saraswati, Bhakti Mata. Amrutananda Baba, Kishore baba and Purub Ganthi a guardian of a Kanyashram girl on the Janmastami night on 23rd August 2008 at 8 pm.

The brutal killing of Swamiji, has sent a shock wave in the country. People of Orissa are still not in a position to accept Swamiji's killing. In a spontaneous response, people of Orissa observed bandh in each and every corner of the State on August 25. People of Kandhamal have still not recovered from the shocking demise of Swamiji.

Murder of Mahatma by the Church

[By Ashok Sahu, IPS (Retd.), Former Addl. Director General of Police.]

On the 23rd August, while doing pooja on Janmasthami, the most sacred day for Hindus, militant Christians entered into the Ashram premises at about 8.00 p.m. and pumped bullets from an AK-47 assault rifle on the frail body of an 84 years old Swamijee (Vedanta Keshari Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati) at Jalespata Vanavasi Kanyashram in Kandhamal District of Orissa. After killing him brutally the Christian assailants have cut various parts of Swamiji's body by chisel and axe, it appears. Along with him others who while trying to rescue Swamiji got killed are Sadhwi Bhakti Mata who was in over all charge of the Kalyan Ashram, Kishore Baba, Amritanand Baba and a visitor guardian of an inmate of the school. The dead body of Mataji was also defiled by cut injuries which were most brutish and nasty.

Swamiji had received a threatening letter which he could read only the previous evening on his return from routine tour for religious preaching. He had sought security from the local police against imminent danger to his life by a written prayer to the authorities including the District Magistrate on 23rd August. The media had broadcast on apprehensions to his life during morning news bulletins on the very fateful 23rd August. Hardly one month back, at Tumudibandh, two kilometers from his Jalespata Ashram, there was armed attack by a group of Christians when he was protesting against Cow-slaughter in the area. In the violence one of
his disciples Madhu Baba had sustained fatal cut injuries. Following the incident the State Government had deployed one platoon of armed CRPF personnel to guard his Ashram round the clock. Swamiji, in addition to these arrangements, had an armed security person to protect him during his tours who was mysteriously absent at the time of attack. It may be mentioned that the personal security man Bhubaneswar Jani who was replaced by an emaciated, cowardice constable by the local S.P. only five days prior to the attack, was serving Swamijee for more than 10 months most sincerely jeopardizing his own life. During armed attack by militant Christians on the 24th December 2007 at Daringbadi for which he was hospitalized along with Swamiji with fatal injuries.

In that connection, though the Police has registered a case vide 83/07 u/s 147/148/353/323/324/307/426/149 IPC the culprits are still at large with impunity.
Prior to this there were nine more attacks on Swamiji's life and consistently the assailants were all recently converted Christians in the area. It is evident that the Catholic Church and the Baptist Church by conversion was gradually criminalizing the local youth. Few of them were also encouraged to join the Maoist group of terrorists which was proved by the way Bamunigaon Police Station was attacked and the subsequent raids in non-descript Sikarama village during December violence there, that led to recovery of more than 20 guns in a single tiny village.

What is surprising is that similar raids were not conducted in other villages where there is pillage of fire-arms. More suspicious is the withdrawal of the CRPF from the Ashram and replacing the PSO to the Swamijee only five days prior to the murderous attack on 23rd August. Danger to the life of Swamijee was mounting every day since the abortive attempt on his life in last December. According to reliable sources, there was a secret meeting on 9th August 2008 in the Community Centre at Raikia attended by activists representing Church based NGOs like the World Vision, Jana Kalyan Samiti, NISWAS, ASHA, Sahara, Palli Shree, Jana Vikash etc. who regularly receive huge funds from abroad. It was also attended by Nakul Nayak, former M.P. from the ruling BJD, Krushna Para Seth the former Block Chairman from Tumidibandh, Alfansoe Baliyar Singh a notorious militant Christian from Raikia, advocate Manas Singh who was to bring activists from Bamunigaon and Daringbadi in a vehicle specifically provided by Archbishop C.Raphel. It was resolved in the meeting to eliminate Swamijee who was 'an insurmountable obstacle against conversion and cow-slaughter in the area'. Simultaneously, they felt that by philanthropic activities among the Kondh tribes in the District he was dissuading the vulnerable poor and illiterate tribe and Panas in the area from falling prey to the allurements and fraud by the Church authorities. Sources reveal that on the 13th August a letter purportedly written by 'Pahadia' group of people was circulated addressed to the Swamiji that his life would not be spared, that too, within a week. Copies were supposed to be sent to the State Chief Minister, DGP, District Magistrate, District S.P. etc. besides the Swamijee and some other targets. A similar closed door meeting was reportedly held on 20th August in the Jana Kalyan Samiti at Jatani (Khurda) attended among others by Father Bijoy Nayak from Baliguda Church and Ajay Singh of Khurda, where it was decided to eliminate Swamijee, come what may. On the 23rd August night they succeeded in killing him as per their planned conspiracy.

The government had clear knowledge and the authorities had detailed information, but instead of reinforcing the security arrangements, it appears that they colluded with the killers. What has failed to convince is the glaring gap in alacrity with which the Orissa Police had rounded up 63 suspects in Graham Staines murder case within 24 hours of the alleged murder and their utter failure to arrest even a single culprit even after four days of the murder of Swamijee. People of Orissa expressed their ire against the government during the dawn to dusk bandh in the most unprecedented manner for the government attributed this murder to the Naxal Maoists within minutes of the incidents. They were reminded of the callousness of the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik who had made a similar statement accusing the Maoists when DIG Jasvir Singh was killed but later it was revealed by subsequent investigation that the DIG was killed by his own PSO from Orissa Police. When there was prior information on danger to life of Swamijee, so much so that, the local TV channels trumpeted the whole day urging the government to save the Swamijee from imminent attack, the government apparently colluded with the killers and in order to prove his self-claimed 'secular credentials' the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik is over active to safeguard the Christian minorities from the onslaught by the enraged Hindus whole over the State. Now the question is, why should the government first create a situation by a series of 'omissions and commissions' later in order to prove his 'secular credentials' try to protect the endangered minorities. There can not be a greater embarrassment for the ruling alliance BJP who can not escape the moral responsibility of being a party to these omissions and commissions on the part of the coalition government.

It is a ghastly incident and a challenge to the advocates of pseudo-secularism that the majorities are discriminated against, to keep the minorities appeased. The pseudo secularists have proved more Christian than Pope in upholding Christianity in India. The
unprecedented response to the bandh called by Hindu organizations in Orissa indicated the shape of things to come. No government how powerful it may be can function with out the co-operation from the people. Peoples elected representatives in Orissa have legislated for the first time in independent India, the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967 to prevent conversion by fraud, allurements, cheating, bribery and misrepresentation. It was challenged by all the Churches in the country in the Supreme Court and the Constitutional Bench of the apex court upheld its validity and said that right to propagate does not include right to convert. Swamijee was only insisting that the Act should be strictly followed in the State. He came to Kandhamal District because there was utter poverty and illiteracy in the district with more than 70% of its population as tribals who are below the poverty line. He came there in 1967 and continued till his murder by Christians on 23rd in August 2008. Similarly, Orissa was the first to enact against cow-slaughter in 1964 as per Directive Principles in the Part-IV of the Constitution. Swamijee had made the motto of his life mission to make Orissa free of conversion as well as cow-slaughter. These two Acts legislated by Orissa Assembly reflect
the sentiments of Orissa people for implementation by subsequent governments. So long as these Acts are in the statute book, it is the constitutional responsibility of the government of the day to execute strictly. But the government has miserably failed. The government did not co-operate, rather criminally neglected in saving the life one man who preferred to lay down his life for the common cause.

The Church supposed to preach The Gospels, ironically criminalizes the youth and with foreign funding indulges in conversion by-passing the law. Hindus in Orissa are not against any particular community or religion. They do not want any other religion to disturb their faith and social harmony by taking advantage of poverty and illiteracy in their society. Irate Hindus when, as a last resort react, at times, with violence; the advocates of 'secularism' cry for protection. Is it not time enough to stop conversion and cow-slaughter as a respect for the majority leaving in the country as a lasting measure to ensure peace and harmony in the society? As this brutal murder is directly linked with the series of incidents right from December 2007, until and unless the State Police detects the right culprits and bring them to book with out further loss of time, peoples already shaken trust on the government can not be restored and peace in the civil society can not come back. Should the government at the centre and the state want a permanent solution to these types of communal repercussions in future, they must concentrate in stopping illegal conversion, put a check on the church based NGOs, stop cow-slaughter strictly in Orissa and manage the forest land and tribal land problems with tribal welfare as the sole yardstick. This would also serve as a fitting tribute to the departed soul of Swamijee who has immortalized himself by laying down his life on the altar of the motherland.

Double face of Church in Orissa

July 24, 2004: Christian people had thrown egg at Lord Jagannath on
Rath Yatra at Osagumunda village in Nawarangpur district. Eight eggs
were thrown on the chariot.

July 28, 2007: Two Nun including Prema and Merry of Baghamara Catholic
Church in Baripada arrested for torturing students of Bijay Sadan High
School.

October 23, 2006: Principal of Bhubaneswar based Christian Charitable
run Loyala School had been transferred on allegation of  misbehave to
a Class-IX student.

July 1, 2005: Two students killed after consuming poisoned food in
Singarmunda Mission UP School hostel in Sundargarh district. Two
students were Gagori Lakra( Class-VII) and Prasant Kujuru( Class-V).

September 30, 2003: Christian people have encroached lands of locals
at Kurada village in Deogarh.

February 19, 2005:  A girl Jyotrimayee was kidnapped and killed after
she denied to change her religion in Dhenkanal district.

November 24, 2003: A nun was arrested on allegation on human
trafficking in Deogarh district. In this case, a Nun called Meena had
promised a job to Manujla and taken her to Mumbai. But in stead of
job, the Nun tortured Manjula.

July 14, 2008: 120 children rescued after 23 days in Rayagada. A
Church run NGO called Keradi and its director Ranjan Sobhanayak had
promised the children to provide education at Ashok Kalyan Mandap in
Rayagada. Gadanayak took Rs 2,500 from each child. When it probed that
it was racket, police took action against the concerned authorities.

July 1, 2004: 5 students in a Church run Boy Home in Keonjhar have
alleged that the authorities torturing them and forcing them to work
in hazardous conditions.

August 18, 2008: In a tragic incident, two students of Anand Niketan
schools at Lamatapur Block in the district met a watery grave in the
Kolab reservoir during a swimming competition hosted by a Church run
School. According to police, the school was conducting a swimming
competition in which 15 students had participated.

However, while 13 of them swam ashore, two other Samuel Moharia (12)
and Mohammad Abu Bachar (14) drowned in the reservoir. By the time the
locals rescued them, they were already dead. Sources said swimming
competition was held as part of a conversion programee of the Church.

January 28, 2008: Church people have physically and mentally tortured
inmates of an Orphanage at Talpadartirka village in Bargarh district.
The church people also sexually abuse one inmates named Rukmani
Hembrum( 10). Protesting over such nexus of Church people, locals had
blocked roads and demanded a high level probe.  They had demanded to
arrest Church men including Simarpana Lima and Anargala Lima.

February 19, 2004: Hindu Parents mentally tortured in Orissa.
Christian organisations in Orissa once again resorted to vitriol
against Hindus and Hindu organisations for forcefully converting their
people to Hinduism. This time Kinnimul village of Jagatsingghpur
district is in focus. Eight persons including seven women were
forcefully tonsured by Hindus in the village alleged Christian
organisations seeking even intervention of Orissa Governor M.M.
Rajendran.

These eight tonsured people were paraded before press and electronic
media in a Church premise at Bhubaneswar and were made to allege that
their intolerant Hindu neighbourers tonsured them in their bid to
convert them to Hindu religion.

However an on the spot investigation did not find any attempt for
forceful conversion of Christians to Hindu fold. Rather found helpless
parents shedding tears as missionaries took away their young daughters
and even minor children converted them to Christianity and instigated
them to defy the old cultural moorings of their society. Niranjan Bhoi
of Kinnimul village is helpless. His two daughters Mamata (20) and
Narmada (18) have left their house and are not coming back. The
reason, Christians have distanced these girls from their family and
are even up against their father looking for their marriages.

"My husband is mentally retarded and I see my future in my only son
Sujit (18)", said Amitarani Jena of the same village with a choked
voice. Mrs. Jena said that Christians have taken away her son and She
is even not aware of his whereabouts. Mrs. Jena said that She has
heard from her Christian neighbourers that Sujit is being given
training in a Church at Bhubaneswar. "I am helpless" said She pleading
before Christians to send back her son to the family fold.

Santosh Kumar Jena (14) a student of class IX with Bible in hand has
all innocence to tell that he has been provided with bags of
literature from local Christians. He has been urged to defy his
parents to come to Church as that could fetch him money and good
employment in future.

With rising consciousness among Hindus in the village, few people
earlier converted to Christianity changed over to their original
faith. Bothered over the development mandarins of Church brought eight
people, tonsured them and produced before press to win sympathy,
alleged Mr. Sahu.

January 18, 2006: Church people beaten a woman at Matiapada village in
Sahupada Panchayat of Bari block in Jajpur district, after the woman
refused to embrace Christianity. Police arrested Guna Mallick,
Kulamani, Tinkana, Ramesh and Gandharba for assaulting the woman.