The Story

In December 2007, Hindu fundamentalists physically attacked Christians in the Kandhamal district of Orissa
state in India. The crowd, carrying sticks, swords, arrows and javelins, and armed with crude bombs,
rampaged through village after village leaving a trail of devastation and heartbreak.

Churches, clinics, schools, homes and orphanages were wrecked and burned, and individual men, women
and children were attacked, assaulted and in some cases murdered. The attacks were carried out by
fundamentalist Hindus who objected to Christians celebrating the birth of the Lord Jesus Christ.

During the following months this tension between the two religions settled. However, in August 2008, a
Maoist terrorist group attacked and murdered radical Hindu leader Lakshmananda Saraswati, and several of
his followers, blaming Christians for the atrocity. Although Christians had nothing to do with these murders
(indeed, they condemn them) Hindu extremists contrived to lay the blame at their feet and to make them
suffer for it.

A government of Orissa statement said - "Christians were not behind the killing of Lakshmananda Saraswati."
The prime minister of India also stated - "Orissa violence is a national shame."

But that did not stop the bloodshed. Christians, whose homes and churches were destroyed, had to flee to
the hills and the forests for shelter and for safety. They are now reduced to living in make-shift tents and
to cooking in the outdoors with inadequate medical and sanitary facilities.
The mountainous region of Kandhamal is by no means hospitable, with its sub-tropical climate and
temperatures ranging from blistering heat in the summer to almost freezing in winter.

Little is being done for many thousands of Christians still suffering persecution even in refugee camps. To
add to their suffering the Orissa government now wants to close these camps and the occupants are being
told to go home.

They can't go home, on pain of death, unless they are prepared to renounce Christianity and re-convert to
Hinduism. This entails the revolting practice of eating cow dung and drinking cow urine. The whole purpose
of this persecution is to stamp out Christianity, in every form, in this predominately Hindu region.

Suffering Christians are often afraid to be seen with relief workers because that makes them easily
identifiable to their persecutors. And because the government is disinterested in this problem there is
virtually no protection for relief workers either, making their task all the more difficult.

There is an urgent need for something to be done to bring succour to these beleaguered people.
Our latest information confirms that 120 believers have been murdered many in brutal circumstances,
hundreds of homes have been destroyed, and many schools, orphanages and churches have been burned
down. It is true as Christians we must pray for them that persecute us but it is also true that this cause is
just and the need is great.

Politically. The CLIO TRUST has made representations to both the Northern Ireland Assembly and to
Westminster. Christians in Orissa deserve an immediate restoration of law and order; improved conditions in
Government camps; and implementation of the recommendations in the India Government's National
Commission for Minorities Report 2008. It is hoped that both Parliaments will bring pressure on the Indian
Government to achieve these basic objectives in Orissa State.

Practically. THE CLIO TRUST, with your help and through our contacts in India can organise a relief plan to
bring the basic essentials of food, water, clothing and medical supplies to helpless and neglected believers
in Orissa as winter is now fast approaching.

Prayefully. If you cherish your civil and religious liberty then join with us at the throne of Grace and ask
the Lord to overrule and bring peace to Orissa and other parts of India. PRAY for a spirit of forgiveness
towards the evildoers. PRAY for the success of these endeavours. PRAY for those who are working to bring
help. PRAY for the persecuted people of Kandhamal in Orissa. PRAY especially that the Lord will comfort His
children in their sorrow.

With these facts in mind The CLIO TRUST is sponsoring a "Petition" to be presented to the Prime Minister Mr
Gordon Brown MP urging him to enter into dialogue with the Indian Government and seek to find a way of
ending this tragic suffering. We trust that you will join with us by signing this "Petition" and giving your gift
to provide much needed aid and thereby showing Compassion for Christians in Orissa.