Kandhamal Massacres: Where is the State? Central Government of India must stop the killings

Over 50 persons, mainly Christians, have been killed since the Hindu fundamentalists launched an attack on the Christians following the murder of four members of the VHP including 90 year old Laxmananda Saraswati by unidentified gunmen on 23 August 2008 in Kandhamal district of Orissa. Thousands of Christians have fled their villages and some 30,000 people have been displaced out of which about 15,000 reportedly sought shelter. As the entry to the effected areas were blocked with logs, both the State and National Human Rights Commission were missing. ACHR urges the Central government of India to take the necessary and immediate measures. [ACHR]