Activist killing sparks fresh attacks on Indian Christians

The murder of a senior Hindu activist by suspected Maoists has sparked fresh violence on Christians in the Indian state of Orissa.

Dhanu Pradhani was killed on Wednesday by a group of unidentified Maoists.

According to police officials, three people came on a motorcycle and shot the activist, a member of the Hindu nationalist organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), dead in Kumarigaon village. However, they are still uncertain as to whether the killing has any connection to the communal violence that followed the August 23 killing of another Hindu leader.

"There was no major violence in the district since September 30. The Wednesday murder has, however, renewed tension," a district administration official said.

While police blamed the Maoists for the crime, Pradhani's brother, Ananda, alleged that some members of the local Christian community killed him. Pradhani was believed to be on the Maoists hit list.

Violence broke out in the eastern state of Orissa after the murder of a Hindu leader on August 23 by suspected Maoists. Although the Maoists claimed responsibility for the slaying, Hindu fundamentalists accused Christians and instigated attacks on its members.

Following the violence, over 50,000 people were forced to flee to forests and at least 300 churches were burnt.

The attacks have been condemned by the Vatican and described as "a national shame" by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Christians account for 2.3 per cent of India's billion-plus Hindu majority population.