[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 150 (Friday, October 31, 1997)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2161-E2162]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                       PRIEST IS KILLED IN INDIA

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETER T. KING

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Friday, October 31, 1997

  Mr. KING. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to bring to the attention of the 
House that this past Tuesday a Catholic priest was found beheaded in 
Bihar, India, apparently for simply helping Untouchables. I not only 
deplore this tragedy but urge the Government of India to rectify this 
situation and end the persecution of religious minorities.
  I submit for the Record two news articles describing this horrible 
crime and the persecution of Christians by Indian police.

             [The New York Times, Thursday, Oct. 30, 1997]

                      3d Priest Is Killed in India

       NEW DELHI, Oct. 29 (AP)--A Catholic priest was found 
     beheaded in a forest in northern India, apparently killed for 
     helping untouchables, colleagues said today.
       A search party from the Australian-run mission that 
     employed the priest, the Rev. A.T. Thomas, found his body 
     Monday near Sirka, Bihar, three days after he was abducted.
       He was the third Catholic clergyman killed in two years in 
     Bihar, where caste-based gang wars have killed hundreds of 
     people.
       Father Thomas, an Indian, had established 15 schools and 
     health projects for untouchables.

                      [The Tribune, Oct. 27, 1997]

                        DSP Hurt in Brickbatting

       Ludhiana, October 26.--The police opened fire in the air 
     and resorted to a lathi charge to disperse an agitated mob of 
     Christians last night and as many as 19 policemen, including 
     a DSP and nine Christians were injured in the brickbatting 
     and lathi charge. Two vehicles were also damaged. The 
     Christians had started a five-day programme on ``Jesus Christ 
     is the answer'' festival from October 22 to October 26 on the 
     Chandigarh Road. They claimed that they were holding their 
     prayers and thousands of Christians were participating in the 
     same. On the other hand BJP activists of the Shiv Sena and 
     the Bajrang Dal objected to the holding of the festival 
     alleging that the Christians were resorting to conversions 
     and indulging in ``magical healing.'' The administration on 
     the first day withdrew permission to hold the festival but on 
     the assurance that no

[[Page E2162]]

     magical healing would be done and no conversions would take 
     place, it relented. However, groups opposed to the holding of 
     the festival continued their protest dharna near the venue of 
     the festival. The police had made elaborate security 
     arrangements. According to a spokesperson for the Christians, 
     the district administration yesterday forced them to wind up 
     the festival as tension was brewing up in the town. He said 
     that on October 22 an attempt was made to set the venue on 
     fire and electric lights were damaged. But the administration 
     did not take any action against the rioters. He said as the 
     announcement for the cancellation of the festival was made 
     the youngster started a dharna on the Chandigah Road. The 
     police lathicharged them and chased them to the CMC Chowk 
     where other Christians had collected in protest against the 
     cancellation of the festival. The spokesman said a deputation 
     of the Christians had also met the Chief Minister, Mr. 
     Parkash Singh Badal, at a village in Muktsar district two 
     days ago and apprised him of the situation. The SSP, Mr. 
     Dinkar Gupta, said as many as 19 policemen were injured in 
     the brickbatting. He said the police force was outnumbered at 
     the CMC Chowk and had to resort to a lathi charge and open 
     fire in the air to protect themselves.

     

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