Three persons arrested, Fresh attacks spread to other places- Orissa

08-10-2008

October 7, 2008 - ORISSA, INDIA: After recent attacks and violence against Christians in Kandhamal and Boudh, Hindu radicals have now targeted nearby kalahandi area in Orissa.
According to THE HINDU, The Orissa police on Monday had arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda.

Duryodhan Sunamajhi from Badagaon village, Munda Badamajhi from Durapada village and Sanatan Badamajhi from Landabali village were arrested from the Tumudibandha area of riot-hit Kandhamal district. It was reported that they were active members of the Communist Party of India (Maoist).
Two guns, masks and black dresses were recovered from them, the new Director-General of Police Manmohan Praharaj told The Hindu over telephone.
Mr. Praharaj, who did not comment on the religious identity of the three, said more arrests were likely in the case.
JMFC Court, Balliguda has released them to the Crime branch police on 5 days remand.
According to our sources, 3 others had also been arrested earlier from K. Nuagaon area by the Crime Branch Police whose names are Bikram Digal, Bullion Digal, and Jacob Pradhan.
And attacks on the houses of Christians were reported from the neighbouring Kalahandi district. The houses were burnt down in Sukuli village in Kalahandi early in the day.
According to our sources around 500 plus angry Hindu radicals at about 08.30 in the evening on October 5 have totally ransacked and burnt a Church and 35 plus houses of all Christians of Sikuli village under Barabandha Panchayat of Kalahandi Dist. adjacent to Kandhamal.
Our sources reported that, the radicals have also looted all their belongings and live stocks. Christian families of Subodh Nayak, Ranajit Nanda, Joseph Nag and Pradip Kumar have been severely attacked by the tormentors who had blocked all the approached roads by trees and destroyed one wooden bridge to smoothly execute their henious work.
Police reached after clearing the roads but many were fled away. Pastor Habila Kumar Nag has lodged FIR which is registered under 112/08.
Few of the perpetrators namely Minasa Majhi, Ekada Majhi, Maheswar Patro, Lingaraj Patro, Laxidhar Patro, Matalu Dharua, Chatura Patro, Chakradhar Patro and Debara Patro have been arrested.

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