The violence against Christians in Orissa, India, enters its seventh week despite the deployment of thousands of national and state law enforcement troops. According to local sources representing the All India Christian Council (AICC), countless rural-based police officers have ignored India's Supreme Court mandate to register all complaints and are turning away Christians attempting to report cases of violence. "The death tolls are climbing, but less than 100 are confirmed," pastor and AICC Regional Secretary Madhu Chandra pointed out. "Perhaps this is why the Orissa attacks haven't gained international attention [regarding] the worst violation of the freedom of religion in any democracy in recent history. … This is clearly terrorism and ethnic cleansing, but few Indian leaders are admitting it." Added AICC President Joseph D'Souza: "The events of the last month, not only the attacks but the negligence of government, would be sad if it happened in a dictatorship or a totalitarian regime. The fact that it's happening in the world's largest democracy makes it infinitely sadder." [AICC press release, 10/4/08]