Source:  www.assistnews.net

Date:  2008-01-23

By James Varghese
Special to ASSIST News Service

TAMIL NADU, INDIA (ANS) -- According to news reported by the national newspaper The Hindu, Christians in Salem, a city of 700,000 in Tamil Nadu, India, staged a demonstration by carrying crosses, to protest against the recent attacks by the fundamentalist groups on Christians, churches and educational institutions in Orissa on Tuesday, January 22.

Christians in Salem staging a demonstration on Tuesday protesting against the recent attack on minorities in Orissa (Photo: P. Goutham for The Hindu)

It was reported that the protest was organized by the Christians of Sevvapet (a town in Salem) parish, and the protestors, including Catholic sisters and brothers, were joined by men from all walks of life, demanded immediate action against those who unleashed violence.

The protestors said that it was a pre-planned attack by Hindu Radicals in Kandhamal district of Orissa.

They also said that a 15-year-old boy was also killed in the violence and educational institutions and homes run by missionaries are lying in ruins.

Hence, they demanded a high-level inquiry commission into the violent incidents. Adequate compensation should be provided to the families of those who lost their lives and property damages.

The others present for the protest were Fr. J. Vimas Dass, Fr. S. Theodre and Vicar General Fr. I. Maria Susai.