http://in.news.yahoo.com/050116/139/2j1rp.html
Samanthapettai, Jan 16 (ANI): Rage and fury has gripped this
tsunami-hit tiny Hindu village in India's southern Tamil Nadu after a
group of Christian missionaries allegedly refused them aid for not
agreeing to follow their religion.

Samanthapettai, near the temple town of Madurai, faced near devastation
on the December 26 when massive tidal waves wiped it clean of homes and
lives.

Most of the 200 people here are homeless or displaced , battling to
rebuild lives and locating lost family members besides facing risks of
epidemic,disease and trauma.

Jubilant at seeing the relief trucks loaded with food, clothes and the
much-needed medicines the villagers, many of who have not had a square
meal in days, were shocked when the nuns asked them to convert before
distributing biscuits and water.

Heated arguments broke out as the locals forcibly tried to stop the
relief trucks from leaving. The missionaries, who rushed into their
cars on seeing television reporters and the cameras refusing to comment
on the incident and managed to leave the village.

Disappointed and shocked into disbelief the hapless villagers still
await aid.

"Many NGOs (volunteer groups) are extending help to us but there in our
village the NGO, which was till now helping us is now asking us to
follow the Christian religion. We are staunch followers of Hindu
religion and refused their request. And after that these people with
their aid materials are leaving the village without distributing that
to us," Rajni Kumar, a villager said.

The incident is an exception to concerted charity in a catastrophe that
has left no one untouched.(ANI)

Heated arguments broke out as the locals forcibly tried to stop the
relief trucks from leaving. The missionaries, who rushed into their
cars on seeing television reporters and the cameras refusing to comment
on the incident and managed to leave the village.

The incident is an exception