By Purushottam Nayak
Adava, March 16, 2023: A Catholic family in an eastern Indian village says it now lives in fear after a mob attack.
Kamila Nayak, the head of the 15-member family in Adava village, told Matters India March 16 that some 100 men and women came to their house with axes, knives and sticks two days earlier and assaulted his family.
“They pushed, kicked and punched us while threatening to kill us. They demanded that we vacate the village, which they said belongs to Hindus,” added.
The attackers also took away gold ornaments, cash and smartphones, he said.
Kamila said their attackers told them that they would be permitted to stay in the village only if they become Hindus.
“Though we have submitted our complaint to the police, the FIR (First Information Report) is yet to be registered,” he lamented.
He said his family has lived in the village inside a forest for the past 15 years.
Kamila also said the Hindus had harassed them several times in the past.
Nayak’s son Jaya said they had sought the help of various government officials. “We also took the case to the Odisha High Court, which ordered in favor of us and permitted us to reside in the place,” he said.
Kamila and his wife have three sons and two daughters, who have become nuns.
The elder Jhumi became a member of the Camillus congregation in 2017 and now serve in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu. The younger one Jharana joined the Ursuline Franciscan congregation in 2022, and works in Mysore, Karnataka.
Their parish priest, Father Ashok Kumar Nayak, termed the attack as unfortunate. The family, he added, has paid land taxes for years.
“I have sought help from Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak for our parishioners in this unfortunate and harassed situation,” the priest added.