Christians are being forced to convert to Hinduism in order to get food, medical attention and shelter

Christians are being forced to convert to Hinduism in order to get food, medical attention and shelter

Hindu extremists in India's Orissa state killed 50 Christians, burned 1000 homes and destroyed 100 church buildings and many are still missing persumed dead during the Christmas holy days , according to a report from the All India Christian Council. An estimated 6000 Christians took refuge in a church building after extremists tried to attack their village.

"Young and healthy Christians have left their villages to flee for their lives. Children, women, [the] old and sick, who could not flee for their lives, are in great danger," John Dayal, the council’s secretary general, told International Christian Concern, a human rights group based in Washington, D.C. "Remnants are starving for the last four days, and sick are suffering without medical attention."

Christians are being forced to convert to Hinduism in order to get food, medical attention and shelter, Dayal said.

Hundreds of Christians fled to government-run relief camps, where authorities were providing food, medicine and security, the Associated Press reported. Police officers were dispatched and curfews announced in an effort to stop the violence.Hindu nationalists often persecute the country's Muslim,sikh and Christian minorities.