It is two years since violence struck the Christian community in the tribal dominated Kandhamal district of Orissa state. Official relief camps have closed, but many victims are now living in makeshift shelters, without access to basic living facilities, uncertain about their future.

They have no idea as to whether or when they will be able to return home. Credit must go to them for refusing to give up their faith in spite of the living conditions and a lack of regular food supplies or healthcare. Women and children are a major cause for concern.

Survivors are ostracized by Hindu hardliners and their supporters. It means that they struggle to gain any employment. With no regular income and without any state support for food and other basic necessities, they use what little they have to meet these needs.

The government promised compensation and it has been forthcoming, but in the majority of cases it has not come close to being enough. Typically, a destroyed house with half a wall left standing is categorized as “partially damaged” and qualifies for very little in compensation. It does not match the cost of reconstruction, particularly when increased demand has pushed up the price of building materials.

Endemic poverty

Demography and geography add to the misery of Christians. Kandhamal lies in the hilly and forest heartland of Orissa, and is connected to the outside world by a single road.

The people of Kandhamal are among the poorest in the country. The vast majority lives below the poverty line and are lucky if they get one full meal a day, according to a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) report.

Poverty, social agitation and religious manipulation all contributed to the attack which began on Aug. 24, 2008, the day after Hindu leader Laxmanananda Saraswati was gunned down.

A temporary refugee centre for tribal people affected by the violence (Photo by Michael Coyne)

The seven weeks of violence that followed was the largest and most serious attack on Christians in the history of India. Some 93 people died, over 6,500 houses destroyed, 350 churches burned and looted and 45 health and educational institutes were left in ruins.

Lucky few have homes

With their limited resources, the Catholic Church, other Christian denominations and civil groups are helping build 3,710 houses. But no commitment exists to build the other 2,790 homes.

The government’s meager compensation of 50, 000 (about US$1,050) for a destroyed home and Rs 20,000 for partially damaged houses, is not even enough to build four walls, let alone a roof.

“It is quite disheartening to see families having to face the rainy and winter seasons without a roof, and as refugees in their own land. It is painful sight,” says Father Manoj Nayak, who coordinates housing construction by Cuttack-Bhubaneswar archdiocese.

Health, education and fear

Access to health care also remains critical. Kandhamal records one of the highest infant mortality rates in the country according to UNDP reports. The violence has added to the woes. Hospitals are ill-equipped to treat emergencies and it is difficult for the Church to care for survivors.

An estimated 12,000 children have lost an academic year. Those that would have been in their final year in their final year failed to appear for exams, destroying their academic hopes and future dreams. Some 2,800 children are also estimated to have dropped out of school.

Mental trauma to women and children, who have spent weeks in jungles and relief camps with little shelter, is also a major concern. There are many cases of stress and depressions, some requiring medical attention. Their only saving grace is their community spirit to try and overcome the fears and depression.

Crimes against women

A further worry is that criminal elements have started preying on vulnerable women in the district.

Tribal people displaced by the violence living in a tent in Orissa. Up to three families share the same tent. (Photo by Michael Coyne)

In the past three months 38 girls were rescued by various agencies in distant cities such as Hyderabad. Apart from trafficking, many cases of sexual violence are emerging. The three recorded rape cases during the 2007 and 2008 riots are just tip of the iceberg.

Impunity of offenders

Lawyers say many crimes have not been logged by the police. There is also widespread evidence of an endemic bias and dereliction of duty in investigations and the prosecution of offenders, resulting in many acquittals.

Of 3,223 complaints submitted to the police; only 831 were logged, Kandhamal lawyers say. Of these 192 were handed to Fast Track courts, established to try riot crimes. So far the courts have dealt with 91 cases, convicting 176 and acquitting 653. Murder trials have seen only one conviction and 11 acquittals.

Criminals continue to intimidate trial witnesses, meaning many relatives and friends of the murdered refuse to testify in court. In some cases, they are bribed to change their testimonies.

Supreme Court lawyers and legal researchers are currently exposing the failure of the justice system in Kandhamal.

Justice, reconciliation and peace remain unfulfilled dreams in Kandhamal two years after the violence.

Father Ajay Singh is director of social service programs for the Cuttuck-Bhubaneswar archdiocese, which covers Kandhamal district.

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