Testimonies from victims of the recent violence

Abraham Mali

Abraham Mali is from Mukundpura, Gajapati. At the time of his testimony, he'd spent two months at Raigada relief camp after his family's home was destroyed by supporters of Swami Laxmanananda.

I thank God that I am alive today. By His grace I have survived serious injury. However, I become anxious every time I think of having to go home.

I used to live in Mukundpura, Gajapati. The tragedy began when six or seven families rushed to my house for protection. I sensed an attack, and it was my duty to protect those in my house. I took a sword in one hand, a staff in another and posted myself at the gate of my house.

But someone in my family suggested that such a gesture might invite an attack, so I dropped the weapons and went out to meet the approaching mob in peace, with nothing in my hands. I recognised one of them, whom I knew well. He came forward to talk to me and I folded my hands and bowed before him, saying such an attack was not right. As I rose, he struck me on my head with a sharp weapon. I fell to the ground and started bleeding. As they left, I slowly went back into the house, my clothes covered in my blood.

I was taken to hospital, where I received seven stitches. As it was late, I could not return to our village until the next day. When I got home I discovered the group had returned and burnt down our church building. They then entered the home of another man, pulling his family out of the house and attacking them with guns, arrows and knives. Thankfully the family escaped. But the man did not. They threw him inside the fire and stood watching while he cried for help. Then they announced they were going to rape the man's wife, daughter and daughter-in-law. Hearing this, the villagers started to flee. The attackers then went into the empty houses, took out the Christians' belongings and set them on fire.

My family fled from the village as well. We were separated for at least three days. My wife was nine months pregnant when she had to run for her life. As a result, we lost our child before it could even see the light of day. My house has become a graveyard; nothing is left. Our village has faced this kind of tragedy five times before, so our people do not want to return to their homes.

However, I am not ready to give up my property; I own seven hectares of land. We are simple, weak and harmless people who spend most of our time on our farms. Yet we have been branded as terrorists. Threats of continued violence remain, including rape of our wives and daughters. We ask you to please pray that this may not happen and the situation would not become worse. 

Mary Nayak

At the time of this testimony, Mary and her family were living in temporary accommodation, having fled their home after Mary was attacked and beaten by Hindu extremists.

Mary Nayak lives in Kandhamal, Orissa, with her husband, who is a pastor, and their two children.One Sunday after church, a mob of about 800 people came to their village and began attacking the Christians. Mary, her husband and children were forced to run and take shelter in the jungle nearby. The family remained in the jungle for three days without any food or shelter before they returned home.

A few days later, the women of the church came together to fast and pray about the recent persecution in their village. As they began to pray, a group of 20 to 25 people gathered and began throwing large stones at the women. Mary was hit on the back and fell to the ground. The mob continued to kick and beat her, only stopping when they thought she was dead.

When Mary's husband learned of the attack, he immediately rushed to the scene and found her lying on the road. He brought her home and went to seek medical help, but the mob caught up with him and he was forced to escape in a different direction. He eventually made it back home and found Mary conscious. After praying together, they left to seek medical help in Koraput district, taking only the clothes on their backs and a meagre amount of money.

The violence against Christians had spread and their journey to the doctor was dangerous. It was difficult to know who was a friend and who was not.  But God protected them in every situation. Mary could not walk, so her family had to carry her to the railway station. A man there saw her and asked what had happened. She told him everything and he immediately brought them clothes and food, as well as some money to cover their initial needs and medical expenses. They stayed in Koraput for a few days.

Circumstances in Kandhamal did not improve, so the family decided to move to Jagadalpur in Chhattisgarh state. It was there that Open Doors came into contact with Mary's family during a seminar. The first thing they did was to take Mary to a good hospital where she could get better treatment.

Mary is now recuperating from her injuries. When Open Doors spoke to the doctors, they suggested that Mary should receive trauma counselling. The family has rented a room with the help of local Christians but they don't know how long they can live there. At the time of this interview, they have no set income and are concerned for their children, who are not going to school due to lack of resources.