On 27.08.08, there were three more deaths in the state of Orissa, where a wave of anti-Christian violence began after Maoists are suspected to have murdered Hindu leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his followers on 23.08.08. The death toll has reached 21 on the fourth day of the continuing violence in Kandhamal district and other parts of Orissa.
The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) reported that there have been more than 114 attacks on Christians in several parts of the state. The worst affected are people in Kandhamal district where more than 400 churches, more than 500 houses and many Christian institutions have been destroyed. The President of GCIC, Dr. Sajan K. George in a report to the state governor.
The news agency IANS reported that three more dead were found on 27.08.08. Two of them had died after a mob had attacked them. The third was rescued but later died in hospital. The IANS news agency reported that on August 27, 2008, the state administration issued shoot-first orders to the police in Kandhamal as "the mob defied the curfew, blocked roads and attacked churches and Christian homes." (Compass/Direct/Danish European Mission)
