Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Odisha village tensions over church location
In a village in Odisha, India, there was a fight between some Christian families and other villagers.
The Christians were using a house as a church, but some villagers didn't like it.
They stopped a prayer meeting and said mean things using loudspeakers.
The Christians said two young men were hurt.
The police and local leaders are trying to solve the problem.
They gave both groups 15 days to move the church and live peacefully together.
The church and a sacred grove had been near each other for 18 years, but now the tribal villagers want the church to move.
A dispute erupted in Kapena village, Odisha, over the use of a house as a church by Christian families.
Villagers allegedly disrupted a prayer service, threatened to demolish the prayer hall, and assaulted two Christian youths.
The incident involved nearly 30 Christian families in a predominantly Hindu village with 250-odd households.
Authorities, including the district collector and police, intervened to restore peace and gave 15 days to relocate the prayer hall.
Both sides were urged to resolve the issue and live harmoniously as they did before, with the church and sacred grove coexisting for 18 years.
- Who
- Christian families in Kapena village and local Hindu villagers
- What
- Dispute over the use of a house as a church and alleged assault
- When
- January 26, 2024
- Where
- Kapena village, Umerkote, Nabarangpur district, Odisha
- Why
- Dispute over the use of a house built on encroached government land as a church
- Location
- Kapena village, Umerkote, Nabarangpur district, Odisha
- Incident Date
- January 26, 2024
- Number of Christian Families
- Nearly 30
- Alleged Assault Victims
- Jaladhar Santa (17) and Mohan Santa (20)
- Resolution Timeframe
- 15 days to relocate prayer hall
- Authorities Involved
- Nabarangpur district collector, Umerkote police, Nabarangpur sub-collector
- Community Composition
- Hindu-dominated with some Christian families
- Total Households
- 250-odd
- Major Tribal Communities
- Gond, Bhatra, Santa
- Livelihood
- Farming
- Years of Coexistence
- 18 years
