Elderly Christian lady murdered; Inspector killed on the way

Trissur (Kerala, India), SVM News, August 31, 2007: An elderly christian woman of 83-years-old brutally murdered on August 31 at Porathassery near Irinjalakkuda in Trissur district of Kerala in India.

The police officer who was coming to investigate the case killed on the way.

Mariyam, wife of Lonappan of Alappadan house was the elderly woman beaten to death by an wooden piece at her head on Thursday in between 4 to 5 in the early dawn.

Mariyam and Lonappan were alone at their house. Three of their four sons Johny, Wilson and Johnson are working in Arabian Gulf. Their second son Paul lives in a seperate house in a distance of around 250 meters. Rosely and Clara are the daughters living in different places.

The youngest daughter-in-law (Johnson's wife) and children had been with them, but because of the grand Onam festival of Kerala, they were out these days to visit her parents.

Lonappan regularly getting up before 4 in the early morning for milking the cow. Thursday also he got up at the same time and went to the cattle shed for milking. When he return back after milking, he saw Mariyam was lying down with full of blood in their bedroom with severe head injuries and found her dead.

86-year-old Lonappan is having the trouble of hearing, so he did not hear the uproars or any unusual sounds.

The wooden piece, which suppose to have used to beat her head was left in the room. Also found that Mariyam's two golden chains of 24 grams and 5 hand rings of eight grams each were missing from the body. But the two finger rings she wore were found kept in her fingers.

The murderer might have entered the house through the back door and attacked Mariyam, when Lonappan went to the cattle shed for milking the cow. Police officials said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service. "It seems the murderers intention could be robbery," police said.

His second son Paul was informed and he reached the house at once. He telephoned the Circle Inspector of Police of Irinjalakuda.

K.L. Jose, 43, the Circle Inspector of Police took the jeep and was coming to the spot to investigate the murder case. On the way the jeep in which he was traveling overturned and rammed into a tree and was killed.

Jose leaves behind Jain, his widow, who is a teacher of Chalakkudi Sacred Heart School and 4 year daughter Evilin, a UKG student.

Inspector General of Police Vijayanand, District Superintendent of Police T. Chandran, Deputy Superintendent V.V.Sasi and forensic experts have been visited the incident house. Circle Inspector Shahul hameed investigating the case.

Paul Ciniraj, president of the Christian Ministers of the Churches of India (CMCI) and the director of Salem Voice Ministries condemned the incident. He asked the authorities to have a very clear and detailed investigation not only for the elderly woman's death, but Circle Inspector's death also.

"Both victims killed inexplicable way. 83 year old woman's murder seems many obscurities. And the Circle Inspector K.L.Jose was alone and he himself drove the jeep, because the driver was absent in the police station. On the way he rammed into a tree and killed. It also seems mysterious. So both cases need a crime branch investigation," Ciniraj said. Christian persecution in India is increasing day by day," he added.

Source: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews238.html

Three women and a man beheaded in Orissa alleged sorcery

(Paul Ciniraj, Salem Voice Ministries)

Balasore (Orissa, India), SVM News, August 30, 2007: A tribal man and three women were brutally beheaded by a group of villagers who suspected them that they were practising sorcery at Pratappur village in Balasore district of Orissa state in India.

The terrible and horrible incident occurred on the night of August 26 when heads and torsos of four persons were severed from their bodies in presence of about 100 armed villagers with sharp weapons.

The victims have been identified as Budhini Sing and Soren Sing, who were the husband and wife, and their daughter's-in-laws Somabari Singh and Pia Singh. They belong to the Kohla tribe. Budhini and Soren of Ayurbhanj district had come to visit their daughter’s in-laws. They were in the age group between 22 and 45.

The incident came to the light when district police recovered headless bodies from different points of Sono and Budhabalanga rivers on August 30.

A so-called village assembly sentenced the victims to death after holding them responsible for the death of a 17-year-old boy Raju Singh, son of Siba Singh. The teenager died of snakebite on night of August 14, police said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service.

Siba Singh, who is an influential ward member of the village assembly said to the villagers that the snake sneaked into his son's bed under sorcerer's spell against his family. On the day of Akadasah, which was a ritual function of the 11th day of the death of Raju, Siba called a village meeting where it was decided to find out the sorcerers and behead them.

By this time Budhini and Soren have had come from Mayurbhanj district to visit their daughter's-in-laws Somabari and Pia . Siba and the villagers decided that they were the practitioners of the witchcrafts done sorcery against his family.

The reason they found that the husband of Pia Singh murdered on 2006 after he was tagged as a person practicing sorcery. As a result, those four persons were hacked to death in presence of villagers.

Rabi Singh, an eyewitness told the police, "at least a hundred people were present in the meeting that day. While four people killed them, others were watching the ghastly incident. They then threw the bodies and weapons used in the crime into the river".

P.K. Das, the additional superintendent of police said they could only find three bodies. As the bodies were found under three different police stations, Remuna, Nilgiri and Sadar, three different cases were registered in these stations under 302 and 211 of IPC.

Pray for Indian brothers and sisters to be delivered from supersitions and witchcrafts by accepting Jesus Christ as their personal saviour. For Christ Jesus came from above as God's only begotten Son by the power of the Holy Spirit to reunite all the human beings unto the Merciful God through the sacrificial death of the Cross on the Calvary. He did it as a ransom for many. He bruised the head of Satan, the old snake and redeemed all human beings from the death forever. Those who believe Him will be saved. No sorcery and witchcraft befall you or even touch you, your household and your family. For in Jesus Christ, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of the grace.

Source: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews235.html

Alleged thief brutally thrashed by crowd and police

Bhagalpur (Bihar, India), SVM News, August 29, 2007: An young man named Aurangzeb alias Salim was mercilessly beaten by a crowd, tied to a policeman's motorcycle and dragged after being accused of stealing a gold chain in Nathnagar town of Bhagalpur district in Bihar State in India on August 26.

Aurangzeb had allegedly snatched a gold chain from a devotee Shanti Devi in front of Manskamnadhish temple here following which he was ruthlessly thrashed by a crowd.

L.B. Singh, the Assistant Sub Inspector of police and constable Ramchandra Rai arrived at the scene and took him into custody. One of them then tied Aurangzeb by his foot to the vehicle and dragged him on the street for some distance. He was then dumped on a cycle-cart to be taken to the police station before being sent to a hospital.

As some channels aired the incident, DIG, Bhagalpur range, G.N. Sharma said "it was an attempt to discredit the police which had done a good job in rescuing the thief from the crowd".

He said that "Aurangzeb, who was fastened to the motorcycle to prevent him from escaping, fell on the bumpy road accidentally and got dragged for a little distance".

Bihar police spokesperson Anil Sinha described the incident as "horrifying" and "shocking". "We condemn it. An inquiry has been ordered into the incident and the policeman has been suspended," he said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service.

State Home Secretary Afzal Amanullah said instructions have been given to the Superintendent of Police to inquire into the incident.

Railway Minister and Rashtriya Janata Dal leader Lalu Prasad, who is the former Chief Minister of Bihar termed the incident as shameful. He alleged that Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has no control over the administration.

Meanwhile, Aurangzeb said to the media persons on Wednesday that he doesn't remember who else were beaten him up, for he lost his conciousness. In fact, he was too much scared to speak out against his uniformed tormentors.

Human rights organisations have condemned the incident and demanded immediate action against the policemen.

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued notice to Bihar Police on Tuesday to produce a report on the incident and indicated it could send a team to Bhagalpur to investigate the case.

Source: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews234.html

Riots in the home of Taj Mahal; Curfew imposed

(Paul Ciniraj, Salem Voice Ministries)

Agra (India), SVM News, August 29, 2007: Police imposed a curfew following rioting that left one person dead and 50 hurt on Wednesday, the 29th of August in Agra, the home town of Taj Mahal, one of the seven wonders of the world. And Taj Mahal was closed to tourists.

Thousands of tourists are stranded in Agra, 120 miles south of New Delhi, after angry mobs burnt down at least 13 trucks and a police van in protest at the death of four Muslims in a traffic accident.

The state government of Uttar Pradesh issued an advisory asking tourists to stay in their hotels until order was restored in the city.

"A speeding truck killed four Muslim youth in the Nai Mandi area, who were participating Shab-e-Baraaat, a religious function of Muslims to pray for the dead that falls about two weeks before the start of the holy fasting month of Ramadan," Vikram Singh, the Director General of Police said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service.

Around four kilometres from the Taj Mahal, spread the news of the accident quickly and residents spilled onto the streets. The one who killed in violance also was a Muslim.

The Additional District Magistrate was injured in the violence. Several policemen have also been injured and more police forces were being rushed from neighbouring places of Meerut, Hatras and Etawah.

Police tried to break up the crowd with tear gas and live rounds fired into the air, but were pelted with stones, sticks and bottles. The crowd later set fire to a shoe factory too.

The Nai Mandi neighborhood of Agra is home to both Hindus and Muslims and the two communities have often clashed, but Chamber said the rioting was not sectarian.

All schools and colleges closed for next three days in the city, whose population of 1.6 million people is 20 per cent Muslim.

The white marble Taj Mahal was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan as a mausoleum for his wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died while giving birth to their 14th child. It was completed in 1648 after 17 years of construction, involving 20,000 workers.

Almost three million domestic and foreign tourists visit the Taj Mahal annually, more than any other tourist site in India.

News with pictures: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews233.html

Seminary student found missing from East India

Kolkata (India), SVM News, August 28, 2007: Jobinson Joseph, 25, a student of Bonamali Dharmaniketan Catholic Seminary in Beehala of Kolkata found missing since August 22.

He was also known as Joksi.

He was a second year student of B.Com too at St. Xavier's College alongwith seminary education for priesthood.

Rev. Father Pathikkal, rector of the seminary informed about Joksi's missing to his parents in Kerala. Rector told them that he had gone to the college on 22nd morning for his studies, but did not come back to the seminary.

Joksi's father Kalappurakkal Joseph George alias Appachai at Champakulam Amichakari in Alappuzha district of Kerala State said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service that he leaves to Kolkata to know details of his missing.

Appachai asked Paul Ciniraj, director of the Salem Voice Ministries to request all prayer warriors around the globe to pray for his son Joksi, that they may find him without any harm.

Source: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews232.html

Mar Chrysostem steps down Marthoma Metropolitanship

Paul Ciniraj,

Salem Voice Ministries

Tiruvalla (Kerala, India), SVM News, August 28, 2007: Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostem Marthoma Metropolitan stepping down from the position of supreme head and daily administration of the Marthoma Church of Malabar due to physical ailments.

Mar Chrysostem declared his decision at the concluding session of the Legislative Assembly of the Marthoma Church (Pradinidhi Mandalam) which was held at Tiruvalla on August 28, 2007.

He shaked the hands of Rt. Rev. Dr Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan and asked him to take over the daily administration of the Church.

Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostem recently broke the record as the longest serving bishop in India. The record held by Bishop Jerome Fernandez of Kollam Diocese of the Roman Catholic Church which was 19799 days (54 years and two months) had been broken by Dr Philipose Mar Chrysostem, on August 6, 2007.

He was consecrated as a bishop on 23 May, 1953 and installed as Metropolitan (Supreme head of the church) on 23 October, 1999. He was succeeded Dr. Alexander Marthoma Valiya Metropolitan and was the 20th successor to the throne of St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus Christ.

Philipose Mar Chrysostem was born on 27 April 1918 by name Philip Oommen. He was the son of Rev. K.E. Mamman and Mrs. Sosamma Mamman of Adangappurathu Kalamannil family at Puramattom in Pathanamthitta District of Kerala. He was ordained as a deacon on 1st of January and as a minister on 3rd of June, 1944. He was consecrated as bishop on 1953 by name Philipose Mar Chrysostem.

He recently celebrated his 90th birthday.

Dr Joseph Mar Irenaeus Suffragan Metropolitan was born on 27 June, 1931 as the son of Lukose of Maramon Palakkunnathu Kadone family and Mariamma of Puthoor family. He was ordained as a deacon on 29th of June and as a minister on 18th of October, 1957. He was consecrated as bishop on 8 February, 1975 and designated as Suffragan Metropolitan on March 15, 1999.

Marthoma Syrian Church, traditionally believed to have been founded by St. Thomas, one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ in the year AD 52.

It is an espiscopal, protestant and Gospel spreading Church, reformed from the Orthodox Syrian tradition about 170 years ago.

The church presently has around 1,000,000 members. The majority of the membership of the church is in the southern Indian state of Kerala but it has spread with the 20th Century Indian diaspora to North America, Europe, the Middle East, Malaysia, Singapore, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand, this in addition to a sizeable population in the rest of India.

Marthoma Church is in full communion with the Anglican Church, including the Church of South India and Church of North India.

Asia's largest eight days Gospel Convention called "Maramon Convention" held every year during the month of February under the auspices of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.

Source: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews231.html

Indian christian employees persecute in Saudi Arabia

Asir (Saudi Arabia), SVM News, August 27, 2007: 17 Indian christian employees are suffering house arrest and severe persecution at a water company in Asir province in Saudi Arabia since August 15. They don't even get proper food and needed treatment.

It was revealed by Manoj of Kerala State, who escaped from the Saudi company and reached back to India.

"There were 22 youth were selected and sent to Saudi Arabia by a recruiting agency for the post of driver cum salesman during the last week of April, 2007. Company offered them eight hours duty per day, good salary, and flight charges from India," Manoj said to the Salem Voice Ministries (SVM) News Service.

"But company did not keep the promises, because the employees were christians. They did not pay back their flight charges too," Manoj continued. "Employees were told to work in the company 18 hours per day without any rest. They were treated as slaves. Company authorities did not want to consider them even as domestic animals," Manoj said with tears.

Manoj became sick during those days. But company did not sanction him leave at least. Manoj became worse. His friends forcely took him to the hospital. That provoked the company authorities and they started more persecution to the other christian employees and put them under house arrest. They hardly get proper food in the custody. When they are being provided some food, Arabian people spitting on it and giving them to eat.

When he became seriously ill, company sent him back to India without giving him salary and allowances. Manoj said to the SVM News that he did not have a single coin with him. He sent a missed call to his brother, so that his brother called back from his mobile and came to know Manoj is arriving back to India. And he went and picked him up from Trivandrum air port.

Ronald Alex from Iritty in Kannur district was one among those 22. "He regularly used speaking us from Saudi Arabia by phone. But since August 15 we did not receive any call from him. So we enquired and found he is under police custody," Ronald's father Baby and mother Gracy told to Paul Ciniraj, the director of the Salem Voice Ministries.

Another young man Jose Chacko, son of Chacko and Mariamma from Iritty itself in Kannur district fear the arrest of Saudi police and hiding in a Keralite's home.

PLease pray for these christian youth.

Source: http://salemvoice.org/svmnews230.html