Over 100 people including women, children, Adivasis and Dalits were killed. Three women were gang raped and many were injured. Over 295 churches were destroyed. Educational and medical institutions were not spared. And 15,000 fearful and threatened survivors, who cannot return to their villages unless they revert to Hinduism, are still living in tents.

The high displacement in the last two years, hellish life in refugee camps and the breakdown of many families due to poverty, has affected the aggrieved psychologically. Minor and adolescent girls are being trafficked for 'security' and livelihood. Widespread ostracizing of Christians in Kandhamal has affected adult employment and children's education. The meager government compensation is insufficient for the immediate medical needs of many.

While the Sangh Parivar followers attacked the Adivasis and Dalits, the administration stood either as a silent spectator or indirectly supported the violence. The state's deliberately negligent behavior is common where the population primarily comprises marginalized communities like Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (SC/ST as per official jargon).

From 3,300 victims' complaints filed in the local police stations, only 831 were registered as FIRs, most of which are pending inquiry. The minimal investigations and bias have acquitted criminals, 'arrogating' them before the minorities.

The attacks on Christians spread to over 10 states in India, hurting the fundamentals of democracy and spiritual harmony. Karnataka recorded the maximum anti-Christian attacks in India in 2009 and is keeping pace this year.

The National Solidarity Forum, a coalition of over 55 organizations nationwide held solidarity events across India. Strongly condemning attacks on religious minorities, it requested all democratic forces to unite and fight the rising communal fascism. Appealing to all peace loving people in the country to support the cause for justice in Kandhamal, it demanded:

• Prosecution of — police personnel who failed to register FIRs and encouraged communal violence in Kandhamal

• those responsible for forcing conversions to Hinduism

• relevant administrative officials for dereliction of duty

• Transfer of investigation to CBI/SIT

• Compensation for - houses destroyed in mass arson

• victims of gender violence,

• loss of livelihood for two years

• all widows/next of kin of those who died in the riots

• Resettlement in home villages with full land rights and security

• Employment of men and women victims

* Counseling for traumatized children, women and men

* Rehabilitation of children, especially girls whose education is interrupted

* Reissue of property documents and educational certificates destroyed

* Implementation of a witness protection scheme and provision of necessary assistance to survivors to ensure their court testimony

* Repeal the Orissa Freedom of Religion Act, 1967, which fuels prejudicial attitudes toward religious minorities

* Establishment of a State Commission for Minorities, like its national counterpart

Peoples' Solidarity Concerns (PSC), Student Christian Movement, India (SCM-I), St. Joseph's College of Arts and Science, Visthar and The Other Media-Communications (TOMC) were among those who organized a protest outside Town Hall, Bangalore, on Aug. 25, 2010. These groups also facilitated a talk by Dr. Ram Puniyani on "Color of Terror: Saffron, Green or Black" on Sept. 10, 2010 in Bangalore. Dr. Puniyani, professor Ninan Koshy and Jagadish Chandra of PSC subsequently responded to questions.

A set of poignant sketches by two artists whom the violence directly impacted is available online at: www.citizen-news.org .