At the moment we are in Orissa. Here we are hearing real life stories from people directly affected by the persecution going on in this state. Today i will only enclose a report sent me by my friend Sunny from Orissa. There are a lot of different numbers in the air and no one seems to know exactly what is going on and the total scale of the violence. We read about it in the news papers and we watch programs on TV discussing what is going on. One thing is sure, many people have been killed, thousands of believers are in refuge camps, and there seems to be no end to the current crisis of secular India.

Following is the information that our three pastors have gathered the details of the riot started from 23^rd August 2008. This report is Concerning Violence against the Christians in Orissa. Our pastors had been to Kandhamal, Bargarh & Muniguda-rayagada district to collect the information and also they collected the information from various sources. And it was put together by young pastor Sunny Raul.
It has to be noted that this information is not yet completed since the sporadic incidents of attacks of communal hatred are still pouring from Orissa in and the same is being processed and verified.

A. Number of Districts affected: 14 out of 30.

B. Number of People Affected:

1. It is estimated that over 40,000 people have been affected due to the violence & staying either in forest or elsewhere.

2. Over 18, 000 injured either it was severe or a small hurt.

3. 7,300 houses destroyed all over the state of Orissa.

4. Over 500 churches were destroyed all over the state of Orissa.

5. About 20 women were gang-raped or assaulted; many took place in tribal villages.

6. About 67 people were killed, burnt alive or beheaded.

C. Number of Schools and Colleges set fire or damaged: 15          

D. Number of NGO attacked: 4

E. Number of Pastors, Priests and Nuns assaulted-29

F. Forcible Conversion of Christians by Sangh Parivar outfits & health problem.

1. VHP, Bajrang Dal and RSS activists have been threatening Christians in refugee Camps and in the still intact villages to convert to Christianity or face death. From 24 August till date, every date several case of such coercive action is being reported.

2. Forcible conversion consists of shaving the heads of the male forcing the family to drink cow dung diluted with cow urine and water, and taking an oath at a fire. In some cases authorities have reported that head of the families so converted are asked to set fire to neighboring Christian house and church and is photographed while doing so , as if evidence that Christian bunt their own houses.

3. Now the government of Orissa not providing, even ordinary food in the relief camps. They are being forced to leave the relief camps. But the refugees don’t know where to go.

4. At present the big problem is health problem. Many are experiencing bad health because of the food they eat, the water they drink & the place they stay.