Odisha Police accused of desecrating church,assaulting tribals during raid: Fact-finding team report
Gajapati: A fact-finding team consisting of seven advocates and a social activist has alleged serious misconduct by Odisha police, including the desecration of a church, assault on tribal women and minors, and destruction of property during a raid in Juba village, Mohana Tehsil, Gajapati district in late March.
The team visited the village on April 9 and reported that police personnel entered the church premises without a warrant, disrupted Sunday mass preparations by Kondh Adivasi women and children, and vandalised church property. The team claimed this is the first documented police attack on a Christian church in the state.
The incident reportedly occurred on March 22 and was allegedly linked to a raid concerning marijuana cultivation. According to the team, two young tribal women were assaulted inside the church and dragged to a police vehicle. Minor girls who sought help from priests were also affected. A Sabar tribal woman who intervened was allegedly beaten and had her clothes torn.
Further allegations include police transporting women and children from nearby villages and abandoning them at a distance, seizing mobile phones which remain unreturned, and violating provisions under various laws, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The report also claims that two Catholic priests were physically assaulted and falsely accused of illegal religious conversions, with one sustaining serious injuries. Additionally, Rs 40,000 was allegedly taken from their residence. Several homes were ransacked, with reports of damaged motorcycles, household goods, and food supplies.
The fact-finding team emphasised the socio-economic vulnerability of the region. Gajapati district ranks low on the Human Development Index, with high tribal and Christian populations, low literacy rates—especially among women—and poor infrastructure. Mohana block, where the alleged incident occurred, is one of Odisha’s most underdeveloped areas.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, no First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered even 20 days after the incident. Complaints have reportedly been submitted to the Superintendent of Police, but no formal response has been received.
The team attributed the violence to communal and caste-based bias within the police force and called for legal action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the POCSO Act, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Recommendations included diversifying police recruitment, mandatory human rights training, and increased media attention on violations affecting marginalised communities.
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KSRTC to run 1000 special services to clear Christmas rush
Bengaluru: The Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation will operate 1000 additional special services in view of the Christmas festival.
In addition to the existing schedule, the special services will run on 19.12.2025, 20.12.2025 and 24.12.2025. Further, special buses will be operated from various places of intra & Interstate places to Bengaluru on 26.12.2025 & 28.12.2025.
Special buses will be exclusively operated from Bengaluru Kempegowda Bus Station to Dharmastala, Kukkesubramanya, Shivamogga, Hassan, Mangaluru, Kundapura, Shringeri, Horanadu, Davangere, Hubbali, Dharwad, Belagavi, Vijayapura, Gokarna, Sirsi, Karwar, Raichur, Kalaburagi, Ballari, Koppala, Yadgir, Bidar, Tirupathi, Vijayawada, Hyderabad and other places.
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Special buses from Mysuru Road Bus Station will be exclusively operated towards Mysuru, Hunsur, Piriyapatna, Virajpet, Kushalanagar, Madikeri.
The corporation has also announced a discount of 5 per cent on the fare if four or more passengers book tickets under a single reservation. A discount of 10 per cent will be extended on return journey tickets if onward and return tickets are booked simultaneously.
In addition to the above, special buses will be operated from all Taluk/District Bus Stands in the jurisdiction of KSRTC based on the traffic needs.
