Christians organise peace march after religious unrest in Orissa

Ahmedabad, Sep 3 : About 3000 Christians here took out a silent march against the religious violence sparked off by the killing of a Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader.

A Non-Governmental Organisation named 'Citizen for Justice and Peace', which works for Christian rights, organised the rally under the banner of 'Gujarat United Christian Forum for Human Rights'.

A large number of bishops and priests participated in the rally demanding that violence in Orissa should be immediately curbed.

"We need to raise opinion not only in Orissa, but all over the country to make sure that this minority group of anti-social elements do not rule the roost, but large democracy loving people come out top saying that we believe in rule of law. The Orissa Government and the Central Government must curb this violence immediately," said father Francis Parmar, principal of St. Xaviers College. Earlier, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had termed the communal riots following the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, as an unfortunate incident. While three persons were killed in the communal violence after an attack on Saraswati on the eve of Christmas last year in Kandhamal, 16 people have died in the ongoing violence, which has spread to other districts.

ANI