ஒரிஸ்ஸா அரசு கிறிஸ்துவர்களுக்கு எதிராக போராட்டம் செய்த இந்துக்களை சுட்டுத்தள்ளியது

ஒரிஸ்ஸா அரசு கிறிஸ்துவர்களுக்கு எதிராக போராட்டம் செய்த இந்துக்களை சுட்டுத்தள்ளியது

Two Hindu rioters killed in India
Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:49:36 GMT


Security forces have killed two Hindu rioters in eastern India where last month 18 people died in ongoing Hindu-Christian clashes.

Late Saturday, paramilitary troops in the troubled Kandhamal district clashed with Hindus who were trying to attack a church and the nearby house of a Christian villager. The Hindu protesters began firing on the troops and injured one of them.

Two people were killed and 11 injured when the troops retaliated, Orissa police chief, Gopal Nanda, reported Sunday.

Tensions began after a revered Hindu priest and four of his followers were murdered on August 23, which led to violent riots.

Hindu hardliners claim that Christian missionaries are “bribing” poor tribespeople and low-caste Hindus to convert to Christianity by offering them free education and health care.

Thousands of people, mainly Christians, are still living in government camps or in the surrounding jungles following the torching of their homes.

Violence also erupted in the southern state of Kanataka, where on Sunday Hindu activists ransacked 10 small churches and prayer halls, police said. At least eight people including two pastors were injured.

Christians comprise 2.3 percent of India's population of 1.1 billion. Hindu-Christian clashes erupt periodically in the country.

FTP/CW/BGH