PUBLIC AI Index: ASA 20/026/2008

3 November 2008

Further information on UA 236/08 (ASA 20/018/2008, 27 August 2008) – Fear for safety

INDIA Population of Kandhamal district, Orissa state

Violence against the Christian minority in Kandhamal district, Orissa, subsided during October etc, and the district is now relatively calm. Amnesty International is continuing to monitor the situation, and will take further action as necessary.

Kandhamal district had witnessed religious violence against the Christian minority since 24 August, when a prominent Hindu nationalist leader and four of his supporters were murdered. At least 37 people were killed in the district, 16 of them by police gunfire, and some 20,000 people, mostly Christians, were made homeless. They are still in 20 relief camps run by the state authorities. A number of Christian institutions and one of the relief camps were attacked during the violence. A judicial inquiry into the violence is in progress. Kandhamal district had also witnessed violence against the Christian minority in December 2007, in which 11 people were killed.

No further action is requested from the UA network. Many thanks to all who sent appeals.