Kendrapara: Cases of non-Hindus coming to tribal hamlets (Pathargada Mundasahi) and trying to trick gullible people into embracing Christianity by offering them jobs and free education to their children besides monetary gratification, have come to fore in the district.
According to villagers of Patharagada Mundaisahi, a human habitation was set up here in 1960s following the arrival of a tribal community from Keonjhar and Mayurbhanja districts to work in construction of NH-5(A). They resided on government land by setting up thatched houses.
Later, their names were enrolled in voter lists and some obtained ration cards under the National Food Security Act. Although 50 years have passed, nothing has changed for them. About a 100 people of 20 families reside in the hamlet. The village lacks a proper road, electricity and drinking water facilities. Besides, they failed to avail other government sponsored projects due to their ignorance and lack of interest from the district administration.
During rainy season, they are forced to go through knee-deep water in agriculture fields. As they pass on the agriculture field, they face the wrath of locals. They have knocked the doors of the district collector to ensure basic amenities for them. But to no avail. Taking advantage of this, some Christian missionaries are trying to wean them away from Hindu religion.
According to Susila Singh, a tribal woman, some Christian people visited their basti and
provided leaflets, books by persuading them to quit Hindu religion and embrace Christianity. They tell them once baptised, their financial condition will improve.
Christian missionaries keep coming to the village and lure them with many things if then convert to Christianity, informed Tuna Munda, a youth of Mundasahi.
According to Biswanath Singh, a local youth of Mardarpur, six to seven years back, some Christian people came to the hamlet and influenced them to convert to Christianity. After getting information, he and some locals drove away the missionaries, he said.
When contacted Kishore Chandra Swain, BDO of Kendrapara block, said the hamlet lacks communication facilities and power. But the block administration provided monthly pension to five tribal people and allotted IAY units to six families. However, as they stay on government land and do not possess land patta, they failed to construct IAY houses.
However, the allegations, some people are converting them to Christianity have not come to their notice, he added. PNN
