Alarming 5 fold increase in Kandhamal Christian population from six per cent in 1971 to 27 per cent in 2001 ,It began with the arrival of Christian missionaries in the area who found the remote region very conducive to conduct prosetylization amongst the poor tribals. The conversions continued unhindered until the arrival of Swami Laxmanananda who put strenuous efforts to stop conversions and help reconversion to Hinduism as well. If not for his effort Kandhamal would have been another Nagaland in the making where the separatist movement has wrecked havoc in the state. The aggressive Christian proselytization in Orissa today pitched previously peaceful tribals into warring camps of Christians and non-Christian. This has has vitiated the peace that has existed with various communities for millenia. Why Orissa Orissa has been specially targeted because of a huge tribal population. This allows the missionaries to work from the scrutiny of the media and carry our their nefarious activities. In Kandhamal district, for instance, the Christian population has increased from six per cent in 1971 to 27 per cent in 2001, despite a law enacted by the Orissa Legislature in 1967 to prevent conversion by allurement, coercion, bribery and cheating.
