4/28/2025 India (International Christian Concern) — On April 21, the All India Christian Council called upon the Director General (DG) of Police, in Odisha state, to take immediate action on police officers who were involved in a brutal attack on tribal Christians in the Gajapati district of Odisha last month.
An eight-member fact-finding team consisting of lawyers and social activists visited the Juba village in Mohana block, Gajapati district, on April 9 to investigate reports of police violence. According to their findings, what began as a police operation targeting alleged marijuana cultivation in a nearby village escalated into targeted violence against tribal Christians at the Juba Roman Catholic Church.
The fact-finding team uncovered disturbing details of police brutality against the tribal Christians, including assault on women, children, and Roman Catholic priests during the violent March 22 raid.
The fact-finding team highlighted multiple violations of constitutional rights and legal protections, including violations of Article 25 (Right to Freedom of Religion) of the Indian Constitution; Section 298 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023 (Injuring or defiling a place of worship); Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, (POCSO), 2012 (as minors were involved); Articles 15(3) and 15(4) (Protection of women and tribal communities) of the Indian Constitution, and the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act.
In the letter addressed to the DG of Police, Odisha state, Bishop Dr. P. R. Parichha, president (Odisha Chapter) of All India Christian Council, urged the DG to initiate an immediate investigation into the incident and suspend the concerned police officers.
The letter states that the police involved have forgotten their basic duty and responsibility, and instead of providing protection, have turned on innocent people. Such lawless action by mindless police on innocent tribal women, children, and priests is condemnable in every possible manner.
According to the fact-finding report, the violence extended beyond physical assaults to include property damage. According to victim testimonies, police destroyed about 20 motorcycles, television sets, and food supplies, including rice, paddy, chickens, and eggs. The report suggests deliberate targeting of Christians, noting that “police broke and desecrated statues of Jesus and Mary.”
Despite the severity of the allegations, no formal action has been taken against the accused police personnel more than 20 days after the incident. The fact-finding team has called for quick action against “criminal elements among the police having communal and caste bias.”
According to the report, around 1.30 p.m. on March 22, about 15 police personnel stormed the Catholic Church where four young Kondh tribal women — two adults aged 18 and 20, and two 12-year-old girls — were preparing for Sunday services. The police entered without a warrant and reportedly desecrated the sacred space. Officers beat the two young women with sticks inside the church and dragged them nearly 330 yards to a police bus, abusing them along the way. The girls fled to the church presbytery seeking help from priests.
Two male officers also allegedly assaulted a 38-year-old tribal cook who emerged upon hearing the commotion. They “caught hold of her neck, gave a strong blow to her face, and tore her kurta, outraging her modesty.”
Police also brutally attacked two Catholic priests who came to the aid of the women and children. One of the priests suffered a fractured shoulder blade and fainted during the assault.
The report stated that the police officers accused the priests of being “Pakistanis” and converting local people. Police officers also allegedly entered the priests’ residence and stole ₹40,000 ($470).
In a particularly disturbing event, a 62-year-old woman who had buried her husband just hours earlier was also allegedly beaten up along with her 17-year-old daughter while they were in mourning.
“The police didn’t care that this family had just buried their beloved one,” the fact-finding report noted.
Source: ICC
