ASIA/INDIA - More compensation for Christians, victims of the massacres

Bhubaneswar (Agenzia Fides) - Legal victory for the victims of anti-Christian massacres in Orissa: as Fides learns, the Supreme Court of India, that believe the compensation paid so far is "inadequate", ordered the government in the state of Orissa to arrange an additional compensation for Christian families who in 2008 were victims of a real "ethnic cleansing", which took place in Kandhamal district, carried out on a religious basis to free the territory from citizens of Christian faith.
The verdict pronounced by the Court came after a complaint filed by Archbishop Raphel Cheenath. The local Church welcomed this provision.
Speaking to Fides, Sajan K. George, president of the "Global Council of Indian Christians" (GCIC) said: "It is a step forward in justice for the victims of Kandhamal. It is a positive sign that the Supreme Court of India recognized as unjust compensation paid. The justice procedure is slow and inadequate but this is a sign of hope".
The Church of the state of Orissa will celebrate "Martyrs' Day" on August 30 each year, the day after the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, to remember the sacrifice of more than 101 people who lost their lives during the anti-Christian massacres in 2007 and 2008: most of the victims come from the district of Kandhamal. The violence in 2008 also caused the destruction of 8,500 houses and 395 churches, while more than 56,000 Christian refugees were expelled forever from their villages. (PA) (Agenzia Fides 03/08/2016)

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violence

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hinduism

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displaced persons

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religious minorities

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