‘Converted’ Christian Families Return Home

(IANS) – A group of people who had left their village in Orissa after they were ostracised for changing their religion have returned home amid tight security. Police said 28 members of seven families came back home to Kilpal village in Jagatsinghpur district, 80 km from here, after nearly six months. They had left in early February after villagers had forcibly tonsured seven women for converting to Christianity. But police have now assured them safety and the group, which had taken shelter in this state capital, has finally returned home. “We brought them to the village on Sunday amidst tight security,” said a top district police official. “We have deployed police forces in the village so that no religious clashes occur in the coming days. The families that have returned have also been provided adequate security,” he added. Kilpal is a communally sensitive village with a population of about 500 people, including 200 Dalits. Cases have been registered against 35 villagers.