On Monday the authorities in Orissa were ordered by the Supreme Court to offer security to thousands of Christians who fled their homes after some of the worst religious violence in decades last year, said the officials.

The order came to light as a measure to support Christian leaders who criticized the state government since it failed to provide enough security for scared Christians still living in camps and forests.

The top court also banned the State government which is run by a coalition of a regional party with Hindu nationalists, from withdrawing troops from riot-infested zones without permission of the central government.

Last year in month of August, violence broke out after the murder of a local Hindu leader and over the controversial issue of conversions in poor tribal areas of Orissa last year.

At that point of time, the Hindu nationalist groups were criticized by the Christian leaders, since they accused the Hindu nationalist groups for targeting Christians for political gain, while rights groups accused the state government and police of not doing enough.

The involvement in the clashes that left at least 38 people dead and scores wounded has been denied by the Hindu nationalist groups. Following this, tens of thousands of Christians fled to government relief camps and into forests.

This encouraged the Christian leaders to file a petition seeking court intervention after local authorities failed to provide adequate security and attacks continued. In Orissa afraid Christians said that they were scared to get back into their villages, in spite of intervention by the court.

Leaders of Christian said not more than 25,000 people could still be living away from their homes.

On Monday Archbishop Raphael Cheenath said, "They are not sure of their safety as they may be attacked any moment."