The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Bhubaneswar

Hindus attacked at least 12 churches in eastern India leaving one man dead and 30 injured on Christmas night, police said. Protesters backed by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (World Hindu Council) set fire to six churches and ransacked another four in the heart of Orissa state, police officer Narsingh Bol told AFP. One young man was killed in the attacks and 30 more people hurt, according to local administrative official Satyabratu Sahu. Police would not specify the religion of the casualties. The authorities imposed a curfew on four towns in Kandhamal district, where the violence broke out some 300 kilometres (190 miles) southwest of the state capital Bhubaneswar, he added. The state's chief minister appealed for peace. "Orissa is known for its long tradition of communal amity. Let's maintain it," said Naveen Patnaik in a televised speech. Some 500 policemen were deployed to restore peace, state police chief Gopal Nanda said, and more were on the way.