Chambria N. Brawley
9:35 am
In an attempt to disperse an angry mob attacking churches, Indian police fatally shot and killed two people in eastern India. The death toll has now reached 19 as a result of Hindu-Christian conflicts. The clash occurred late Saturday night in the Kandhamal district, which is now being recognized as the “center of religious violence,” sparked by the persecution of a prominent Hindu figure in late August. Police and paramilitary forces were trying to redirect a “rampaging,” mob of rioters when individuals within that mob began to open up fire, seriously injuring a member of the paramilitary forces. Police immediately retaliated by opening fire and killing two people immediately.
More than 20 homes of Christians and prayer halls were burned over the weekend, which led to five arrests. The violence is still largely centered around the area of Orissa, which has been subject to violent anti-Christian turmoil since late August. The Press Trust of India news agency reported that several churches had been stoned and attacked in the southern city, Mangalore, although police were unable to confirm it immediately and were unsure if its ties were connected to violence in Orissa.
Orissa has been subject to religious tension as a result of Christian missionaries who work with poverty stricken tribes within the region, and “hard-line,” Hindu groups claim that the Christians are bribing or forcing individuals to convert. Despite Hindu beliefs, the Church is adamant in saying that they have neither pressured nor bribed any individual and that it was a matter of choice and free will. Indian law permits missionaries, but forced conversions are illegal.
I am at least glad to see that there has been some aid, however it saddens me that it had to come as a result of two lost lives. I’m afraid that this will not ignite a sense of fear and lead to tensions dying out but that this will only act as a source of ignition amongst Hindu radicals leading to more persecution. At this point in time, there is no clear distinction of alleviation because certain groups of people will still remain unsatisfied.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20080914/2-more-die-in-hindu-christian-violence-in-india.htm
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