June 2, 2010
Father Ajay Singh expresses concern about the hundreds of people, displaced during the anti-Christian violence in Orissa, facing the imminent monsoon season without a roof over their heads.
Two years after the violence that killed 90 and displaced 50,000, with monsoon season approaching, hundreds of Christians in Orissa are still homeless. Father Ajay Singh, director of social service for Cuttuck-Bhubaneswar archdiocese is urgently seeking funds to provide housing for them. He spoke with ucanews.com’s Christopher Joseph in New Delhi.

Q: How many people have gone back to their villages?

A: We estimate around 75 percent have returned and taken possession of what was left after the riots. But they had no jobs, so many have left for other states. Except for one, all the parishes and mission stations in the area are functioning normally. But Catholics are very few, mostly elderly and children.

Q: What are conditions like for them?  read more »