Communal clashes rock Indian state
A curfew has been imposed in parts of the eastern
Indian state of Orissa after a man was killed and 30
others injured in fighting between Hindus and
Christians.
Continuing clashes since Monday also saw 14 churches
and three Hindu temples damaged.
Naveen Patnaik, the state chief minister, said:
"Enough police both from the state and the central
reserve police force have been deployed in the
affected towns and villages... to maintain order. The
situation is under control."
Curfew is in force in three towns in central Orissa,
with some 800 police deployed and more to follow, the
police said.
Clashes
The fighting ignited on Monday when Christians put up
a temporary arch to commemrate Christmas in Orissa's
Kandhamal district where there has been continued
tensions between the two sides.
Christians later attacked and injured a Hindu leader,
known to resent Christian attempts to convert
low-caste Hindus, police said.
During Tuesday and Wednesday, fighting and rioting
continued sporadically, with Hindu temples and
churches being set alight.
Government buildings and homes were also attacked.
The man who died was a Christian. No one has been
arrested as yet.
A curfew on Wednesday night did not stop further small
fights and stone throwing, although no injuries were
reported.
Controversial conversions
Tensions had been high due to Christian missionaries
finding the majority of their converts from
"untouchable" Hindus - low caste Hindus who still face
significant stigma.
Some hardline Hindus have accused Christian priests of
bribing Dalits and poor tribespeople to convert.
Christian groups say that converts join Christianity
willingly to remove themselves from the Hindu caste system.
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