To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made concerning the Dalit Christian families who were victims of murder, persecution and the destruction of homes and churches in Kandhamal, Orissa, India, in August 2008; and how many families remain in camps. [HL5338]

The Department for International Development (DfID) raised the persecution of Dalit Christian families in Kandhamal district with the Government of Orissa during our annual bilateral aid discussions in March 2009.

The Government of Orissa have led the process to resettle families affected by the violence. The number of people housed in relief camps has come down from 24,000 in the wake of the violence to 700 at present. DfID will raise this matter with both the Government of Orissa and the Indian Government to press for the urgent resettlement of those who remain.