Press Statement
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the following statement:
On Attacks On Christians In Orissa
The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) strongly condemns the organised attacks against Christians and Christian institutions in Kandhamal district in Orissa. On Christmas eve and Christmas day, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and RSS mobs burnt down 15 churches and destroyed property in Christian educational institutions. Kandhamal district has been, for years, the target of communal activities against the Christian community.
The Orissa state government and district administration failed to take adequate steps to protect the minority community. The Polit Bureau demands immediate measures to protect the Christian community and its institutions in the district by deploying adequate security forces. The culprits responsible for the violence must be arrested and proceeded against.