Major Christian organizations issued an official statement to express their solidarity with the local community and to call for action «against the perpetrators of these crimes, which try to intimidate the population and sabotage the peace process in the region.»
The statement was signed by the All India Catholic Union and the All India Christian Council, the Justice and Peace Commission of the Delhi Archdiocese, and a series of Catholic youth organizations.
«We are saddened and shocked by the brutal killing of innocents, including children, in this act of war against humanity,» the text stated.
«The objective to destroy a community in a democratic, pluralist and secular India — in Kashmir, Gujarat and Dalit among other places — is particularly hateful because it means terrorizing and keeping hostage an entire population to pursue political or sectarian ends,» it added.
Progress in efforts for peace are slow in Kashmir, the text said. Consequently, the Christian community calls on the international community, the Indian government and local authorities to increase efforts to put an end to criminal activities.