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Vinay Kumar
PHULBANI (KANDHAMAL DISTRICT): Moved by the plight of violence-affected families living in tented accommodation in three relief camps here since last August, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday apologised “for certain wrong happenings of last year.” Offering full protection to them, he urged them to return to their villages and resume normal lives.
Eight to 10 village panchayats were affected when groups claiming allegiance to extremist Hindu organisations went on the rampage targeting Dalit and tribal Christians. The attacks were a fall-out of the killing of Swami Laxmanand Saraswati.
Mr. Chidambaram took considerable effort to convince the people to go back to their villages; at the Mandakia camp, he even gave his official phone numbers, asking them to contact him freely in case they feared for their safety. “Go back to your villages, build your homes and churches and practise your religion without any fear. I am assuring you of full security,” he told them.
Many people complained that several “criminal elements” were roaming free and threatening them, asking them to convert to Hinduism.
At the Tikabali relief camp, he said: “Christians are living everywhere in the country. I went to a Christian school and a Christian college. We will protect you, you are all citizens of India, do not fear, fear is your worst enemy. Be brave, resume your normal life, send your children to schools.
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