Fears are continuing to escalate in Orissa state, India, over the possibility of further anti-Christian violence taking place on Christmas Day.

The fears largely centre around the aggressive promotion of a state-wide 'bandh', or shut-down, on 25 December which is being pursued by the local Hindu nationalist group, Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati Sradhanjali Samiti (SLSSS).

However further evidence has emerged in Kandhamal district, the epicentre of recent violence, where a Christian villager reported on Wednesday witnessing several men armed with AK-47 rifles in discussion with others thought to be linked with Hindu extremist organisations, reports Christian Solidarity Worldwide.

In addition a Catholic catechist Jubaraj Digal was found dead on Thursday, after his son reported on Tuesday that he had been apprehended and attacked by a mob.

Orissa Chief Minister, Naveen Patnaik, stated on Monday that the proposed bandh would not be allowed to go ahead. Christians in Orissa have expressed fear that a shut-down will increase tension and fear, and could easily spark further violence against Christians.

Sporadic anti-Christian attacks are continuing to take place in Kandhamal, since the assassination of Swami Lakhmananda Saraswati on 23 August which sparked an outbreak of violence that has left 70 people dead, at least 50 still unaccounted for, and 50,000 displaced.

Meanwhile, a debate was held on Thursday in the House of Lords, in which peers drew attention to the ongoing threat of religious extremism in India. Speaking in the debate, was Baroness Cox, head of HART, who recently returned from the region. She described the violence in Orissa as “religious cleansing” stemming from a sustained hate campaign against Christians.

Dr John Dayal, Secretary General of the All India Christian Council, who has recently visited relief camps in Orissa, told CSW: “The situation is terrible. The tension and the fear are palpable.

"People in the camps can’t go back to their homes – they would love to go back but they can’t, and we can’t in good conscience ask them to return to Kandhamal.

"The bandh is to create fear and we certainly cannot guarantee there will be no further violence."

CSW’s Advocacy Director, Tina Lambert, said, “This debate was extremely timely in highlighting the seriousness and extent of religious extremism in India, and nowhere more so than in Orissa.

"The call for a bandh has ratcheted up the tension and provoked new fear among Christians across Orissa and indignation across India among those committed to a secular, pluralist society.

"The events of the next week will demonstrate the mettle of the Indian government and its ability to protect its religious minorities."