Police torture kills 1,184 persons in custody in India in the last eight years – Maharashtra records the highest deaths in police custody – http://www.achrweb.org/press/2009/IND0209.html
FCC South Asia, New Delhi: Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) in its report
Torture in India 2009 released to the media today stated that in the last eight years (from 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2009), an estimated 1,184 persons were killed in police custody in India. Most of the victims were killed as a result of torture within the first 48 hours after being taken into custody.
The highest number of custodial deaths was reported in Maharashtra (192 cases) followed by Uttar Pradesh (128), Gujarat (113), Andhra Pradesh (85), West Bengal (83), Tamil Nadu (76), Assam (74), Karnataka (55), Punjab (41), Madhya Pradesh (38), Bihar and Rajasthan (32 each), Haryana (31), Kerala (30), Jharkhand (29), Delhi (25), Orissa (24), Chhattisgarh (23), Uttarakhand and Meghalaya (16 each), Arunachal Pradesh (11), Jammu and Kashmir and Tripura (9 each), Puducherry and Chandigarh (3 each), Himachal Pradesh (2) while Manipur, Goa, Sikkim, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli recorded one case each.
These deaths in custody do not however represent the actual number of deaths in police custody in India. A number of cases of custodial death taken up by ACHR with the NHRC show that the NHRC was not informed by the police about these custodial deaths. While the NHRC has expressed its anguish against the failure to report these cases of custodial deaths but the NHRC’s guidelines on reporting custodial deaths within 24 hours continue to be flouted, stated Mr Suhas Chakma, Director of ACHR.
Further, deaths in the custody of the armed forces and the Indian Army under the control of the Central government are not reported to the NHRC as it does not have jurisdiction to investigate violations committed by the armed forces under Section 19 of the Human Rights Protection Act, 1993. ACHR itself has filed 50 complaints of extrajudicial killings from 2003 to 2009 from Manipur alone. Many of these alleged extrajudicial killings were indeed deaths in the custody of the Manipur Police Commandos but since the Manipur Police Commandos claim to be conducting operations jointly with the central armed forces, the deaths in the custody of the Manipur Police Commandos are not reported to the NHRC€ ¢’´ further stated Mr Chakma.
The report stated that high number of deaths in custody exposes the abject failure of the 1996 DK Basu Judgment that provides the procedures to be followed while making arrests.
Further, one of the key failures of the DK Basu guidelines is that its compliance is confined only to cases of arrests made under Sections 41 (when police may arrest without warrant) and 74 (Warrant directed to police officer) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (as amended up to date). It does not apply to those who are summoned but not formally arrested, further stated Mr Chakma.
Prevention of Torture Bill, 2008 is a sham:
The Prevention of Torture Bill, 2008 being brought by the government of India is a sham. The Bill contains only three operative paragraphs relating to definition of torture, punishment for torture and limitations for cognizance of offences falls.
The Prevention of Torture Bill 2008 falls far short of obligations that the States ratifying the CAT must undertake. It provides € ¢’³narrow and restrictive definition of torture´ with no reference to death as a result of torture. It provides for lenient punishment for torture contrary to the punishments provided under the Indian Penal Code for similar offences. Further, the six months bar for taking cognizance of offences under the proposed Bill is contrary to the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973.
Asian Centre for Human Rights recommended that the Supreme Court should amend the Guidelines issued in the D K Basu judgment to apply from the moment of summons issued by the police or detention with the police when acting in an official capacity; the NHRC should distinguish in its statistics between custodial deaths through natural causes and custodial deaths resulting from abuses of human rights; the government of India should send the Prevention of Torture Bill, 2008 to Parliamentary Standing Committee for organizing public hearing to ensure its conformity with the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment; the government of India should ratify the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment and its Optional Protocol; and the government of India should extend an invitation to the UN Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment.

“It Was Apparent That Justice Liberhan Wanted To Extricate Advani From The Babri Demolition”
In 1999, Anupam Gupta, a respected lawyer of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, was appointed counsel for the Liberhan Commission set up to inquire into the Babri Masjid demolition. He left it in 2007 when serious differences cropped up between him and Justice M.S. Liberhan over the role of L.K. Advani in the demolition. Known for his activism against corruption in the judiciary, it was he who raised the stature of the commission from an obscure fact-finding body to the investigation juggernaut it later became, kindling expectations that its final report would be objective, comprehensive and hard-hitting. Stipulated to submit its report within six months, the commission took 17 years and a record 48 extensions to finally submit its report on June 30 this year. Shortly after, Gupta spoke to Chander Suta Dogra on his days with the commission and his differences with the justice over Advani.
For the complete story with pictures please click
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MangaloreanCatholics/message/17935

By Anand Soondas
To be brutally honest, it is a sheer and blatant travesty of “investigation” to take almost two decades to close what was little more than an open and shut case. Leaders were seen inciting mobs to tear down the Babri Masjid at Ayodhya on a day that may have permanently changed for the worse the psyche of large sections of people in India – both in the minority and majority communities.
Come to think of it, BJP and Sangh Parivar leaders were caught on tape, caught on camera and caught in the eyes of thousands of people exhorting frenzied crowds to bludgeon and batter the masjid. Ek dhakka aur do – give one push more – had been the battle cry for many in the Parivar, each as obsessed as the foot soldiers they were leading not just to destroy a place of worship but the very fabric of communal harmony that clothed India.
This case did not need investigative prowess and intelligence gathering acumen as much as it needed the courage of conviction, grand principles of justice, an acute sense of what’s wrong and right – on the part of the governments, then and those that followed, and on the part of those handed the enormous responsibility of pinning blame on the clutch of people responsible for what must surely rank as one of India’s biggest blotches – along with the anti-Sikh riots of 1984 and the Godhra violence.
It’s also startling and reeks of great indifference on the part of respective governments that the Liberhan Commission wasn’t given a strict deadline to finish off a probe that always tottered and never walked straight with the determination of direction. Or that MS Liberhan, the former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge, himself wasn’t changed when there was little to show for things even after a decade. That the end has come after a staggering 17 years, 48 extensions, 400 sittings and Rs 9 crore of public money is a marvel on its own. This can perhaps be tolerated only in India.
In his defence, Liberhan has said he got little cooperation from people who mattered. Though he added he will not name them right away. We may or never know who these people were, but don’t bet on it. Under the Commissions of Inquiry Act, the UPA government has six months to share in Parliament Liberhan’s findings and the action taken report. But, as TOI reported today, “tabling of the report in the two Houses will depend on how swiftly the government wants to act on the recommendations”.
If you ask me, the government will be in no hurry. Some players in the sordid saga are already dead, others too infirm, yet others have been completely marginalized during the time this report has seen the light of day. Taking action, even if this government gathers the guts to do it, will not mean the same anymore. Justice, like all things else, is only relevant when the injured party is agonizing about it. I get the feeling that the modern Muslim and the modern Hindu just wants to wash his hands of the blot, use a sanitizer to let go of the stench and move on. Good for the country. So, here’s hoping a place of worship is never attacked in India again, but in case there is such a tragedy, let’s hope the government works on a time frame to deliver its verdict on the sully, if not justice
Source: Times of India

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, Kerala (SAR News) – Malayalam Television’s first reporter passed away 29 June at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala’s state capital. He was 48 years old. Survived by his wife and daughter, John Ulahannan was interned at his home parish in Kidangoor near Pala (Kottayam District), 1st July.
His body was kept for public viewing both at Doordarshan Kendra and Press Club Thiruvanathapuram, 30 June. Cutting across Kerala’s political divide several political leaders and ministers paid homage. The Kerala Chief Minister as well as the leader of the opposition also expressed their condolence as well as high words of praise.
“It was really sad to hear about John Ulahannan’s demise. He [was] a very familiar face for everyone who used to watch DD news. He was really talented journalist. Now, I can’t see any T.V reporters around in Malayalam who can be compared with him, in personality and presentation. We will miss him,” says Jo-ban commenting on blog news about Ulahannan’s demise.
The first Malayalee Television reporter, Ulahannan was popular among Doordarshan (state owned television channel) viewers at the time when no other channels were available.
Alumnus of St. Thomas College Pala and Press Club Thiruvananthapuram he started his career with Enadu group’s first English language daily Newstime at Hyderabad in 1985 and joined Doordarshan Thiruvananthapuram in 1989 to become the first Malayalee Television reporter.
Joining Doordarshan’s Malayalam channel, Ulahannan had a meteoric rise as television journalist. He was a familiar face among the Doordarshan viewers for his style of reporting and news presentation.
He reported Gulf War for Doordarshan and was winner of the prestigious “Statesman Award for Rural Reporting” established in 1979 by India’s oldest newspaper The Statesman, Calcutta.

Year for Priests Special: A Worldwide Campaign
Priests are the greatest benefactors of humanity because it is through them that Christ continues to re-enact his unique sacrifice for the salvation of humankind. It is through them that he extends his forgiving hands and opens his heart full of Divine Mercy. Called to be the living monuments of Christ’s love in the world today, the priests spend their whole life, for God and His people. They need prayer support to live heroically their priestly commitment and mission in today’s challenging world.
Spiritual adoption consists in offering up of prayers and sacrifices, during this year of priests, for a specific priest who will be assigned to you. Sign up by sending an email to adoptapriest@gmail.com if you or your family would like to adopt a priest spiritually (your name, address, country, email ID required). The priest whom you adopt will pray for you in return. More details will be provided on request when you sign up.
Priests who would like to be adopted spiritually, please write to adoptapriest@gmail.com submitting the details:  Priest’s name, address, country, year of priestly ordination, present ministry, email. You will be informed about who would be adopting you spiritually.
The aim of this ministry is to strengthen the sanctity of priests through spiritual adoption by religious and lay people. We want to let every Catholic priest of the world know that someone has adopted him spiritually during this year of priests (June 19, 2009 to June 19, 2010) declared by Pope Benedict XVI.
How can I spiritually adopt a priest?
Adopting a priest spiritually is very simple. You can adopt a priest spiritually by offering up to God various spiritual deeds for the sanctification of a particular priest.  Given below are a few examples. Praying and interceding for the priest (see below some model prayers which could be used daily).
This is the core of spiritual adoption.
1. Praying the rosary.
2. Praying the Chaplet of Divine Mercy.
3. Participation in the Eucharist.
4. Offering Masses for the intention of the priest.
5. Making Visits to the Blessed Sacrament.
6. Making Eucharistic adoration.
7. Offering up to Almighty God your little sacrifices, sufferings, privations of life, etc for the sanctification of the priest whom you adopt.
8. Fast, abstinence, penances, mortifications, etc.
9.  Making a sincere examination of conscience and a good confession.
10.  Doing acts of reparation for the sins of the priest.
11.  Doing acts of kindness to the priest including gestures of appreciation
12.  Visiting holy places like Marian shrines, grottos, places of pilgrimage.
13.  Doing acts of charity for the needy.
14.  Speaking well of priests in spite of their imperfections.
15.  Avoid listening to and spreading gossip about priests.
Whatever you do, do it out of love for Christ and his priest.

International Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that radical Muslims running a tea stall beat a Christian man to death for using a cup designated for Muslims on May 9. The young man, Ishtiaq Masih, had ordered tea at a roadside stall in Machharkay village, Punjab, Pakistan, after his bus stopped to allow passengers to relieve themselves. When Ishtiaq went to pay for his tea, the owner noticed that he was wearing a necklace with a cross and grabbed him, calling for his employees to bring anything available to beat him for violating a sign posted on the stall warning non-Muslims to declare their religion before being served. Ishtiaq had not noticed the warning sign before ordering his tea, as he ordered with a group of his fellow passengers. The owner and 14 of his employees beat Ishtiaq with stones, iron rods and clubs, and stabbed him multiple times with kitchen knives as Ishtiaq pleaded for mercy.
The other bus passengers and other passers-by finally intervened and took Ishtiaq to the Rural Health Center in the village. There Ishtiaq died as a result of spinal, head, and chest injuries. The doctor who took Ishtiaq’s case told ICC that Ishtiaq had excessive internal and external bleeding, a fractured skull, and brain injuries. Makah Tea Stall is located on the Sukheki-Lahore highway and is owned by Mubarak Ali, a 42-year-old radical Muslim. ICC’s correspondent visited the tea stall and observed that a large red warning sign with a death’s head symbol was posted which read, “All non-Muslims should introduce their faith prior to ordering tea. This tea stall serves Muslims only.” The warning also threatened anyone who violated the rule with “dire consequences.”
A neighboring shopkeeper told ICC on condition of anonymity that Ali is a fundamentalist Muslim and all his employees are former students of radical Muslim madrassas (seminaries). Ali kept separate sets of cooking-ware for Muslims and non-Muslims at his stall. Ishtiaq’s family said that they immediately reported the incident to the police and filed a case against Ali. Though the police registered their case, no action has been taken to apprehend Ali or his employees. When ICC asked the Pindi Bhatian Saddar police station about the murder, the police chief said that investigations were underway and they are treating it as a faith-based murder by biased Muslims. When asked about Ali’s warning sign, police chief Muhammad Iftikhar Bajwa claimed that he could not take it down.
However, the constitution of Pakistan explicitly prohibits such discrimination, and the police could take strong action against the warning sign. But because the police are also Muslim, Ishtiaq’s father claims that they are being derelict in their duties to prosecute the murderers who are still freely operating the tea stall. Do contact the Pakistani embassy to protest this heinous crime.
Pakistan High Comission , India
2/50 G, Shantipath Chanakyapuri
New Delhi 110021
Phone: +91-11-2611-0601 / +91-11-2611-0603 / +91-11-2611-0605 / +91-11-2467-6004 / +91-11-2467-8467
Fax: +91-11-2687-2339 / 2688 8330 / 2688 8353
Email: Pakhc@nda.vsnl.net.in

Shimoga, Jun 19:  Sri Raghaveshwara Bharati Swamiji, spiritual head of Ramachandrapur Mutt Hosanagar, has provided shelter and is trying to rekindle hope besides driving home a sense of security among a hundred migrant children from Meghayala state. He has taken upon himself the responsibility of tending and educating them.
During his visit to Meghalaya some time back, the Swamiji was approached by local nomads there, who expressed their concern about the safety and security of their children and sought guidance from him. In tune with the assurance given by him then, Raghaveshwara Swamiji has arranged for providing them the Indian ‘Gurukul’ system of education.
The children, whose average age is between four and five years, arrived at the land and language to which they are strangers, on June 13. The teachers of Gurukul have taken upon themselves the challenge of acclimatizing the children to the new environment, language and customs. The Swamiji is of the opinion that Indian culture can be conserved only when one accepts such challenges. The teachers and students are trying to pick up the language of Meghalaya so that the children would feel at home.
The children from Meghalaya have been provided accommodation in the main building of Hosanagar Mutt. The Swamiji is of the opinion that the Indian way of life can be spread to Meghalaya once the children get education here and go back to their roots to guide the society there?
Daijiworld Media Network – Shimoga (SP)
http://www.daijiworld.com/news/news_disp.asp?n_id=61467&n_tit=Shimoga%3A+Tiny+Tots+from+Distant+Meghalaya+finding+Hope+in+Ramachandrapur+Mutt

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) regrets that visas have not been issued by the Indian government for a USCIRF visit to discuss religious freedom conditions with officials, religious leaders, civil society activists and others in the world’s largest democracy.
As a U.S. government body, visits by the Commission must have official status. USCIRF obtained U.S. State Department support, made travel arrangements, and requested meetings with a variety of officials. Despite this, the Indian government did not issue the USCIRF delegation visas. The Commissioners were to have left the United States on June 12.
The aim of the long-requested trip was to discuss religious freedom conditions in India, home to a multitude of religious communities that have historically co-existed. India has experienced an increase in communal violence against religious communities in recent years and the USCIRF Commissioners sought to discuss the Indian government’s responses to this, and its development of preventive strategies at the local and national levels. According to information before USCIRF, the Indian justice system has prosecuted only a handful of persons responsible for communal violence and related abuses since the mid 1980s.
In 2002, USCIRF recommended India be designated a “Country of Particular Concern” (CPC) following events in Gujarat that resulted in an estimated 2,000 deaths. Although India was removed from the CPC list in 2005, USCIRF has continued to monitor, report, and comment publicly on events in the country, including last year’s violence in
Orissa, attacks in Mumbai, and other events.
The Indian government did not offer alternative dates for a visit. USCIRF first tried to obtain visas for India in 2001. This would have been the Commission’s first visit to India. India joins Cuba as the only other nation to have refused all USCIRF requests to visit.
“We are particularly disappointed by the new Indian government’s refusal to facilitate an official U.S. delegation to discuss religious freedom issues and government measures to counter communal violence, which has a religious component,” said Commission chair Felice D. Gaer.
“Our Commission has visited China, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and over 20 other countries. India, a close ally of the United States, has been unique among democracies in delaying and denying USCIRF’s ability to visit. USCIRF has been requesting visits since 2001.“
USCIRF issues its annual report on religious freedom each May and this year’s India section was delayed because of the planned USCIRF trip
“We wanted to hear from all sectors of Indian society, and allow these diverse perspectives to shape our report,” said Gaer. In the absence of in-country travel, USCIRF will release a report on India later this summer.
USCIRF is an independent, bipartisan U.S. federal government commission.
USCIRF Commissioners are appointed by the President and the leadership of both political parties in the Senate and the House of Representatives. USCIRF’s principal responsibilities are to review the facts and circumstances of violations of religious freedom internationally and to make policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State and Congress.
To interview a USCIRF Commissioner, contact Tom Carter, Communications Director at <tcarter@uscirf.gov>
June 17, 2009, http://www.uscirf.gov/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2524&Ite\
mid=1

Suvendu Roy of Titan Industries shares his inspirational encounter with a rickshaw driver in Mumbai.
Last Sunday, my wife, kid and I had to travel to Andheri from Bandra. When I waved at a passing auto rickshaw, little did I expect that this ride would be any different?
As we set off, my eyes fell on a few magazines (kept in an aircraft style pouch) behind the driver’s back rest. I looked in front and there was a small TV. The driver had put on the Doordarshan channel. My wife and I looked at each other with disbelief and amusement. In front of me was a small first-aid box with cotton, dettol and some medicines. This was enough for me to realise that I was in a special vehicle. Then I looked around again, and discovered more -there was a radio, fire extinguisher, wall clock, calendar, and pictures and symbols of all faiths‘ from Islam and Christianity to Buddhism, Hinduism and Sikhism. There were also pictures of the heroes of 26/11- Kamte, Salaskar, Karkare and Unnikrishnan. I realised that not only my vehicle, but also my driver was special.
I started chatting with him and the initial sense of ridicule and disbelief gradually diminished. I gathered that he had been driving an auto rickshaw for the past 8-9 years; he had lost his job when his employer’s plastic company was shut down. He had two school-going children, and he drove from 8 in the morning till 10 at night. No break unless he was unwell. “Sahab, ghar mein baith ke TV dekh kar kya faida? Do paisa income karega toh future mein kaam aayega.” (Sir, what’s the use of simply sitting at home and watching TV? If I earn some income, then it will be useful in the future.)
We realised that we had come across a man who represents Mumbai the spirit of work, the spirit of travel and the spirit of excelling in life. I asked him whether he does anything else as I figured that he did not have too much spare time. He said that he goes to an old age home for women in Andheri once a week or whenever he has some extra income, where he donates tooth brushes, toothpastes, soap, hair oil, and other items of daily use. He pointed out to a painted message below the meter that read: 25 per cent discount on metered fare for the handicapped. Free rides for blind passengers up to Rs50. He also said that his auto was mentioned on Radio Mirchi twice by the station RJs. The Marathi press in Mumbai knows about him and has written a few pieces on him and his vehicle.
My wife and I were struck with awe. The man is a HERO! A hero who deserves all our respect. I know that my son, once he grows up, will realise that we have met a genuine hero. He has put questions to me such as why should we help other people? I will try to keep this incident alive in his memory.
Our journey came to an end; 45 minutes of a lesson in humility, selflessness and of a hero-worshipping Mumbai my temporary home. We disembarked, and all I could do was to pay him a tip that would hardly cover a free ride for a blind man.
He has got a first aid box on the left and a newspaper box on right (which had all hindi-english- marathi-gujrati and economic times).
He has got a tv on the top with cable (I was watching colors channel) and below that is the tissue box. On the left is the mandir types and don’t miss the “Only gandhigiri” written there, below that is the calendar and a notepad and pen along with a blue fan (which is blowing towards the customer who sits) 25% discount for handicapped!! Who on this earth can expect something like this from a rickshawala yaar!!
It’s amazing there are people still alive like him in this world! I hope, one day, you too have a chance to meet Mr. Sander Bache in his auto rickshaw.
* Posted by: “Suita Dissolve”, MangaloreanCatholics@gmail.com, Wed Jun 17, 2009 2:18 am (PDT)

The Hon’ble Members of the Minority Commission, Govt. of India, New Delhi, 10^th June 2009
Dear Madam / Sir,
On behalf of Orissa United Forum of Churches I would like to appreciate your concern and constant support for the affected people of Kandhamal. After the communal violence, the members of the Minority Commission have visited Kandhamal and also met various stakeholders, including the leaders of the Church to get to know first hand information of the situation. While I thank you for all your efforts, I take this opportunity to brief you on the present status and the views of the Orissa United Forum of Churches.
Security threat still looms large:
Even after 9 months after the second violence on 23 August 2008, over 4,000 people are either in the government run camps or in village camps. Despite the efforts of the district administration still in some GPs the situation is tensed and people cannot return to their villages. On 6 June the BDO of Raikia block took the people from Raikia camp to villages. As the villagers did not allow the people to enter the BDO had to bring the people back to the camps. The main reason is that the perpetrators of the violence are still scot-free and continue to incite the ordinary people. While the district administration focuses on humanitarian aid it did not keep up its promise in taking stern action against these culprits.
The leaders of the Church are of the opinion that unless the culprits are arrested and legal action is initiated, peace will not be established in Kandhamal. The district administration may be able to maintain law and order in the towns but in villages the condition is precarious. It is the responsibility of the State to provide security of life and property of all its citizens. If people have to have faith in the administration it is a must that the culprits are arrested immediately. Moreover, the culprits block the entry of NGOs, Church leaders and humanitarian agencies.
Food security:
While the government run camps are being provided with dry ration, those who were forced to leave the camps by the district administration and could not get back to the villages live in market places or outskirts of villages. They are over 2000. Their living condition is pitiable and many do not have enough food to eat. Basic food security must be ensured for the next few months by the state as people have lost everything and in the process of rebuilding their houses and livelihood.
Housing:
Providing houses to the victims is the primary responsibility of the Government. What the government has given is much less in terms of compensation. The Churches and humanitarian agencies are willing to play a supportive role in the house construction to the district administration. But the district administration must ensure safety and security of volunteers, aid workers and the materials. For example, in the first week of June when the members of the Church went to assess the damages in two villages in G Udayagiri they were not allowed. The district administration need to ensure housing for the people as the rainy season is fast approaching. If housing will take time then the district administration has to prepare itself to meet the emergency needs of the people during rains.
While we appreciate the efforts of the district administration in issuing advance land possession documents the process need to be quickened especially in Tikabali and G.Udayagiri Blocks.  Issuing Pattas (ROR) to those who have been given advance land possession document is also need to be speeded up.
Lack of support from local officials:
Yet another concern is that the support provided by the local administration to the villagers is weakening day by day. The peace committees are not functioning. We have requested the district administration to organize regular peace meetings as well as meeting among local officials, communities and aid workers so that the peace process could be speeded up.
Invitation to NGOs and INGOs:
The needs of the affected people in Kandhamal are enormous – food, shelter, health, livelihood etc. We do not know the plans of the government to address these concerns. On the other hand humanitarian agencies are hesitating to come forward to work in Kandhamal since in the initial stage the state denied admission to human rights and humanitarian organizations. If the administration can send out an open invitation to humanitarian agencies many of them are willing and ready to support the housing programme and various needs of the people. We make an appeal that that the state in collaboration with district administration could organize a state-wide consultation on ‘Peace building in Kandhamal’ inviting all humanitarian organizations, so that many agencies will come forward to work in Kandhamal.
Compensation package to people:
The compensation package provided to people is minimum. Given the fact that the people could not involve in normal activities for the past 9 months, a good portion of the compensation provided by the state for housing is already spent by the people on various basic needs like medicine, education, food etc. The state must ensure that people are provided with employment opportunity so that food security can be ensured.
Compensation package to religious and public institutions:
The compensation offered to partially or fully damaged Churches, religious places and other institutions is far too less of the actual need.  Hence once again we appeal to you to help us to provide with reasonable compensation support by the state and centre to these religious places and institutions.
We the members of Orissa United Forum of Churches believe that you would use your good office to get justice to the affected people.
Thanking you for your support and understanding.
Yours faithfully,
Fr. Joseph Kalathil
For Orissa United Forum of Churches, C/o Archbishop’s House, Satyanagar, Bhubaneswar – 751 007