Banja Maha( Nugaau- Raikia)The Orissa police have detained two persons , Mard-Shimeyal Pradhan and Biju Malick,suspected of being the killers of Pastor Saul Pradhan, in the district of Kandhamal. The area has become notorious for anti-Christian pogrom in 2008. The two detained are Marda Pradhan and Baiju Mallick members of a radical Hindu group. They were the last to be seen together with the pastor Saul Pradhan.

GCIC National convener was informed by Taruni,the 13 year old daughter of Saul her father was found dead on 11 January, near a pond in the village of Pakal. According to his family, rev. Saul had gone to work in Nahadsoru, a nearby village, on 10th January and never returned home. When his wife Nimata and others searched for him they were told Saul was in the company of Marda and Baiju, already implicated in the pogrom of 2008. Family members immediately denounced the two. Only a few days later, faced with legal threats from the family, Marda and Baiju led them to where they found the bloodied body of Pastor Saul.

An autopsy was performed, but its results have not yet beenpublished. At first the police had said that the minister had died of the "bitter cold"and Nimata the widow of the martyred pastor informed GCIC at the Raikia police station theat the authorities are coercing her to withdraw comlaint filed her
The Investigation officer that impartial investigation will be carried out
Global council of Indian Christians(GCIC) appeals to Chief Minister Mr Naveen Patnaik to order investigation by CBI the mysterious murder of Christian leader saul Pradhan in Banja Maha(Naogoan Block-Kandhamal). A fact finding team by Dr. Sajan George ,President of GCIC has come to the conclusion of demanding CBI investigation of the death

Taruni Pradhan ,thirteen old daughter of diseased Saul Pradhan ,who along with others visited the dead body, a day after his disappearance has confirmed that she saw broken limbs, neck and lacerations all over face and chest on 11th January

2-Mrs Limata Pradhan,widow of Saul Pradhan told us at the Raikia police station that the police officers are coersing her to withdraw the written complaint given her against Mard,Bijoy Malik and others

3- The investigation officer BN Barik promised us that transperancy will be maintained in the investigation ,but the widow of saul refuted the claims of IO

4- The house belonging to Saul Pradhan was demolished in the 2008 riot

5- The employers of Saul Pradhan, involved in the brick clin were also alleged to be involved in the 2008 violence aginst Christian minorities

6-The neighbours and others all testified there is foul play in the death of Saul

Therefore GCIC appeals to the Hon. Chief Minister to hand over the murder case to CBI