Hindu mobs have been burning churches in the eastern Indian state of Orissa, forcing thousands of people from their homes and into makeshift camps.

Recent religious violence had appeared to have been abating after Hindu and Christian leaders called for calm, but at the start of September it spread to new parts of the state despite curfews on many towns.

Hindu crowds first went on the rampage after a Hindu leader was killed. The murdered leader had been heading a local campaign to reconvert Hindus and tribal people from Christianity.

The violence has drawn international condemnation, including from Pope Benedict.