By TwoCircles.net news desk
Bhubneshwar: 13 churches destroyed or completely razed to the ground and at least 3 people shot in violence all across Orissa on Christmas Eve.
A press release by All Indian Christian Council blamed Sangh Parivar especially goons of Vishwa Hindutva Parishad (VHP) for the violence.
List of violent incidents in Orissa:
— A World Vision of India office was burned, destroying office documents along with a jeep and seven motorcycles in Daringabadi block of Phulbani district.
— In Balliguda Block of Phulbani district, five churches were damaged including a Baptist church, Catholic church, Pentecostal church, and a Catholic sisters’ convent. Church furniture, the sound systems, and the tents were burnt. An English medium school was attacked and the computer training center was vandalised. A Christmas celebration was stopped during the worship service of Baptist church. Police stood by while fanatics destroyed the church property, said Rev. Abhiram.
— In Nuagam Block of same district, a church in Kdupakia village, another church in Sirtiguda,Gosukia and Jangungia viallges were assaulted and furniture and church properties were destroyed such as a cross which was broken down.
— In Chakapad Block, of Phulbani district, a church was torched while Christians were having a Christmas feast. The food was destroyed and several were almost killed.
— In Phringia Block, of Phulbani district, a Catholic church was destroyed by a bomb planted by fundamentalist. Pastor Junas Digal was tonsured and brought to temple and forced him to bow down to the deity)
— The cabinet Minister Padmanabh Beheras home was also reported of attacked.
— In Raikia of Phulbani district, shops belonging to Christians were reportedly destroyed. The Hindutva fanatics were marching in a procession and holding weapons. The Christians were ordered to stay inside their homes.
— In Phulbani Headquarters, a Baptist church and a Catholic church were not allowed to conduct Christmas celebrations. An orphanage run by a Catholic priest was attacked and three vehicles were torched.
— Carmel Convent School in Phulbani town was attacked and the school buses and vehicles were broken and torched.
The violence against chrsitians in Orissa have increased since missionary Graham Staines and his two minor sons were burnt alive in 1999 by Bajrang Dal members.