Kerala offers protection to Orissa Christians

Those who had fled from Orissa have been staying at a prayer centre at Chalakkudi till now. They contacted the Chief Minister after an intervention by a Thrissur-based human rights forum.

The Chief Minister said the state government would accommodate them in various centres under the social welfare department.

The refugees were mentally and physically weak and their requirement for treatment, food and clothes would be taken care of by the state government, Achuthanandan said.

The state would also bear the expenses for education of the children in the group. All protection would be given to the group. Peter Digal, a member of the group, said the sufferings of the last one year had ended with the assurance by the Kerala Government.

The Sangh Parivar organisation dealt the Christians in a cruel way, he alleged. “We are Christians and we do not harm anyone. But the saffron flag-holders burnt our Churches and destroyed our houses,” he charged.

They had taken refuge in forests to escape from the attacks for over a month. He said they escaped the trauma after reaching nearest railway stations in different groups.

Social Welfare Director Usha Titus would co-ordinate the protection offered to the families.