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Catholic priest lynched in Mayurbhanj

In yet another incident of fanaticism, a Christian priest was killed by some unidentified attackers in Jamudhi village in Mayurbhanj district of Orissa early today.

The victim was identified as Father Arul Doss, serving at the Roman Catholic church at Anandpur in adjacent Keonjhar district.

The incident took place at about 0200 IST when Father Doss had gone to visit Jamudhi, located in a dense forest.

Some men attacked him there, killing him on the spot. A person accompanying him was injured, Orissa Home Secretary Ajit Tripathy said.

The injured man has been admitted to Kaptipad Hospital.

State Inspector General of Police (law and order) Amarananda Pattnaik and Mayurbhanj District Superintendent of Police Pradeep Kapur have rushed to the spot.

Tripathy said the incident was first reported at the Mahuldia police station by the village chowkidar (watchman). Details of the incident are awaited, he said.

On January 22 this year, Australian missionary Graham Stewart Staines and his two young sons were burnt to death at Manoharpur village in Keonjhar district.

On August 26, trader Sheikh Rehman of Padiabeda village in Mayurbhanj district was also set afire and killed after his limbs were chopped off, with the attack taking place in public.

In both incidents, the prime accused is a man called Dara Singh who is believed to be a Bajrang Dal activist and is absconding.

Only yesterday, the state had observed a general strike in protest against attacks on the minorities by communal forces.

UNI

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