BANGALORE, India (UCAN) -- As anti-Christian violence continued in the eastern state of Orissa, bishops in India demanded a ban on fanatic groups that spread terror and hate in the country.

The government should ban extremist groups that train "terrorists" under the Hindu banner or any other name, insisted the executive body of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India (CBCI).

The CBCI Standing Committee made this and other demands made at its Sept. 23-26 meeting in Bangalore, capital of Karnataka state, 2,060 kilometers south of New Delhi.

In the month-long violence in Orissa starting on Aug. 24, Hindu extremists have burned down around 4,500 homes, 100 churches and 15 other Church institutions in Orissa. The confirmed death toll there stood at 49 as of Sept. 30. Churches and Christians were also attacked in Karnataka, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh states.

As the bishops met, a mob on Sept. 25 attacked and destroyed a church, a presbytery and a Missionaries of Charity convent in Orissa. Extremists burned down more Christian homes and killed more people in the following days.

In a statement released to the media on Sept. 26, the Church leaders expressed "utter disappointment" at the "apathy and inaction" of the federal and state governments to check the violence.

"It was evident that the perpetrators of these hideous deeds were trained agents of radical Hindutva (Hindu-ness) activists who were acting under instructions and executing a master plan of destruction," said the statement signed by CBCI president Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil of Ernakulam-Angamaly.

The bishops demanded a high-level investigation into the atrocities and "stronger and stringent action" against "anti-social and anti-religious elements that violate human rights and terrorize innocent people."

Their statement also demanded adequate compensation for the affected people and institutions.

In particular the prelates demanded that the federal government direct the Central Bureau of Investigation, the country's top probe agency, to investigate the recent incidents of violence against Christians.

In general they asked the government to restrain any leaders who act on a sectarian agenda, who inspire organized violence against persons of another community or who use religion for political purposes.

In case of violence, the bishops want police instructed to act "in accordance with the demands of law and order, with justice and without prejudice," the statement said.

"Innocent people were murdered, women were molested, churches and religious places were desecrated, pulled down and burnt, and houses of Christians were destroyed in Kandhamal and several other districts of Orissa," the bishops stated.

Archbishop Bernard Moras of Bangalore told UCA News on Sept. 28 that anti-Christian violence also continues in Karnataka. He said a Marian grotto was vandalized in Mangalore and a prayer hall was attacked in Bangalore, both on Sept. 27. "It shows the hate campaign is still continuing."

Mangalore, some 350 kilometers west of Bangalore, is a Catholic stronghold in Karnataka. Churches and prayer halls in both cities were attacked Aug. 14-15.

The bishops emphasized Christians' constitutional rights as citizens of India. They noted the constitution guarantees all citizens the right to freely profess, practice and propagate religion.

Christian response to harassment and persecution "may be expressed in one word: forgiveness," the statement said. "If however, some choose to consider the sufferance of the Christian community as a weakness, they are seriously mistaken."

The Church leaders nonetheless said they feel "heartened" that moderate Hindus and people of other religions condemned attacks on Christians and their institutions.

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