By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
NEW DELHI, INDIA (Worthy News)-- After days of searching, the body of Christian activist Micael Digal was found near the village of Mdikia in Kandhamal; after an autopsy, police ruled the death as "accidental".
However, Sajan George, president of the Global Council of Indian Christians, believes Digal was ambushed and killed by extremists because of his work on behalf of Christian Dalits.
"Even if the police have closed the case," said George, "the GCIC will continue to put pressure until Micael and other Christians brutally killed by Hindu radicals get justice."
Similar to the Digal case was the suspicious death of the Rev. Saul Pradhan, a Protestant clergyman who suddenly disappeared on January 10; days later he was found a few kilometers from his home. Despite the obvious bruises and other visible injuries to his body, the case was closed without further official action.
In Kandhamal, Christians continue to be preyed upon by extremist Hindu groups that operate with the complicity of both the state and local authorities.