Mon, 23:14 22 Sep 2008 GMT17

 

Attacks on Christians worrying, Italy tells India
01 Sep 2008 14:35:00 GMT
Source: Reuters
ROME, Sept 1 (Reuters) - The Italian Foreign Ministry summoned the Indian ambassador on Monday to express Rome's concern at anti-Christian violence in India in which 14 people have been killed.

A ministry statement said its secretary-general told ambassador Arif Shahid Khan that Italy was "very worried about and sensitive to" religious violence in India. It mentioned "numerous Christian victims".

Hindu mobs set fire to least four more churches in eastern India, officials said on Monday.

Thousands of people, mostly Christians, have taken shelter in makeshift camps in Orissa state, where Hindu mobs went on the rampage last week after a Hindu leader was killed.

The violence has provoked international condemnation, including from Pope Benedict.

The statement said Italy hoped measures taken by the Indian government would lead to a return to dialogue and mutual respect among communities. (editing by Andrew Dobbie)
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Flood-affected villagers make their way to a safer place on a makeshift boat made of banana tree trunks in Dihasai Biri village, in Jagatsinghpur district, in India's eastern state of Orissa ...



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