Italy govt to summon Indian envoy over Orissa attacks

Rome: Italy's Foreign Ministry will summon India's ambassador to demand "incisive action" to prevent further attacks against Christians that have left 11 people dead in Orissa, the Italian government said on Thursday.

A statement issued after a cabinet meeting also said Italy would ask France, the current EU president, to take up the issue of attacks against Christians at a future meeting of foreign ministers.

Clashes between Christians and Hindus began in Orissa after the killing of a Hindu leader and four of his associates by suspected Maoist guerrillas at his Jalespata ashram in Kandhamal district.

(With inputs from Reuters and IANS)