Santosh Digal

The High Court of India has cancelled the release on bail granted by a court of Orissa. Manoj Pradhan had been convicted of two murders, is on trial for three others, which during the pogroms of 2008 in Orissa.

In 2010, the National Human Rights Commission recorded 62 cases of human rights violations. NHRC officials visit the Orissa state capital where they stress the need for a plan to prevent future anti-Christian violence.

The young Hindu, who stole a locket from one of the two men, accused them of trying to convert him in order to defend himself. Police arrested the two Christians without evidence. For the archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar, the event is a clear example of the ongoing persecution of Christians by police and Hindus.

The Community Welfare Society founded by a SVD priest, deals with more than 80 thousand poor in shantytowns around a large steel mill. Roads, sewers, education, medical and human development are the result of a joint effort. Women at the forefront in striving for change.

An autopsy on the body of Saul Pradhan was published today clearing the two Hindu extremists accused of his murder. Family members are threatening protests and call for new examination. Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar invites all Christians in the village to gather evidence against the two killers.

Saul Pradhan, a Pentecostal pastor, was a courteous man, but firm in defence of his faith. His bloodied body was found last week near a pond. Police claim he died from the "bitter cold". However, autopsy and determined action of the district authorities expected.

The Hindu extremists responsible for the attack have accused him of "Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion," and he has been arrested, although it still seriously injured. The Global Council of Indian Christians condemns the collusion between radicals and police at local level.

Karunanakar Digal was ordained with four other seminarians, two into the priesthood. The ceremony was held at Saint Vincent’s Pro-cathedral in Bhubaneswar before 500 people. The pogroms gave “our people a chance to express their faith with courage and conviction”, a priest said.

A Hindu Dalit, Subarna Digala had recently converted and was taking catechism courses. Fanatics from the Hindu nationalist Sangh Parivar forced his relatives to abandon their village and barred them from drawing water from collective wells. For the extremists, the entire family is contaminated even if they are Hindu.

In Kandhamal district, where Hindu radicals are strong and aggressive, a government official is opposed to allowing five Christian families, victims of pogroms, rebuild their destroyed homes. A missionary: "We will take their case to court if the opposition continues." Nine Hindu guilty of burning Christian homes sentenced to five years in prison.

Celebrations were peaceful in Orissa, where the bloody pogroms of 2007 and 2008 have left wounds in Christian communities. The Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar: "The message of Christmas is to break down the barriers and walls of caste, colour, creed and religion to create a community of brothers and sisters united in love, including our Hindu brothers."

In the village of Kandhamal, the local church provided legal assistance to man, the high court recognizes him as the legitimate owner. Also in Orissa, a missionary working to allow eleven families return to their villages.