Bishops call for CBI probe in to Orissa attack

New Delhi, Dec 31 (UNI) The Catholic Bishops Conference of India today called for a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation into alleged attacks on the churches in Orissa during the Christmas celebrations last week.

Addressing a press conference here, Rt Rev Dr Babu Joseph didn't hide his disappointment with the state government. "We are dismayed at the slow reaction time shown by the administration. Fear and anxiety continues to stalk the minority community since Christmas. Yet, no adequate protection has been provided, nor have any preventive measures been taken to check the onslaught," he said.

According to him, the destruction of the churches is estimated to have caused a loss of about Rs 25 lakh. In Barakhama alone, 400 houses were gutted, five people killed, huge property looted etc, he alleged.

Apprehending a Gujarat pattern behind the attacks on the Christian institutions, he appealed to the government to save the missionaries from the rampaging fundamentalists.

Babu Joseph accused the state government of allowing the communal tension to flare up.

UNI