Bhubaneswar: The Christian community in the state is divided over the possible release of Dara Singh, serving life sentence for the 1999 murder of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his two sons. While some members of the community expressed apprehension, others said they respect the judicial process.Ayub Chinchani, pastor of Union Church in Bhubaneswar, said Singh had already served a lengthy prison term for the killings and noted that Gladys Staines, widow of Graham Staines, had publicly forgiven those responsible for murdering her husband and sons.“As Gladys Staines said, forgiveness brings healing and hope,” he said. Chinchani added that the govt should ensure that such incidents of violence against any community are never repeated in Odisha.Jugal Kishore Ranjit, member of Rashtriya Christian Morcha, said Singh’s release could send out a wrong message. “It might encourage others to commit similar crimes,” Ranjit said.Bishop Pallab Lima said while the Supreme Court had commuted Singh’s death sentence to life imprisonment, his release from prison could have a psychological impact on the Christian community. “His release will certainly create a sense of fear and insecurity among Christians,” Lima said.
