Village presents picture of harmony

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RAIKOLA (KANDHAMAL): Like most other places in Kandhamal, the communal fire had scalded Raikola a few months ago. But unlike many other places,
this village, nestled among picture-postcard mountains and forests in G Udayagiri block, on Wednesday presented a canvas of calm and religious harmony
. It is refreshing in the context of the fact that gun-toting security personnel are back in the troubled district to prevent return of violence during Janmasthami festivities.

Dozens of battered houses and a completely desecrated church at Raikola village which reminds one of those days of unchecked frenzy which swept the area about a year ago. The communal chasm formed in the aftermath of senior VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati's slaying on August 23, 2008, are still evident from the camp set up by homeless church-goers on the edge of the village. But what is heartening is the restraint and tolerance members of both communities have shown in recent months with a hope to usher in peace.

"We are staying at a camp because we have not managed to rebuild our houses yet. But the reconstruction process has started and we would gradually move into our houses. Three Christian families have already shifted to their houses," said Sribasta Naik, explaining their stay in a camp. "We are not feeling insecure. They (tribal Hindus) are no longer hostile towards us. We are optimistic that old times would return in the future," added the sexagenarian, who is a Christ believer.

In Raikola, Christians outnumber Hindus. Even then they had been victims of the violence last year. "People from adjacent villages came over and attacked us," pointed out Ajay Naik (40), who is keen to resume his life as a daily wage labourer. "Most of our houses were destroyed, but no one was killed, supplemented Apasari Naik, an elderly woman.

While the church-goers are attempting to rebuild their houses, and their lives, their "opponents", the tribal Kandhs, have supported restoration of normalcy. "There is no tension. What is gone is gone. We want the good old times to return," said Subash Mahamallick, a Hindu. "I won't say that all Hindus are helping their Christian brethren, but some certainly are. After all everyone wants the village to stand united," he summed up.