Showing posts with label Kandhamal Violence. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kandhamal Violence. Show all posts
Improve rehab package of Kandhamal victims: NCM
PTI | 10:09 PM,Sep 14,2010
Phulbani (Orissa), Sep 14 (PTI) Strongly favouring improved rehabilitation package for victims of 2008 riots in Orissa's Kandhamal, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) today asked the administration to focus on providing jobs and self-employment avenues to the affected people."It will be proper if rehabilitation package for the riot victims is improved and money given for reconstruction of destroyed and damaged houses is enhanced," NCM vice chairman H T Sangliana said during a visit to communally-sensitive Kandhamal district.Stating that the rehabilitation work in the riot-hit district was by and large satisfactory, he said enhanced financial assistance for house construction would enable the affected people restart normal life soon.Sangliana, who visited rehabilitation centres and interacted with people in Nandagiri, Hatapada and Paburia areas of G Udaygiri block, said the riot victims found it difficult to get employment after being rehabilitated.Therefore, the administration should take steps to provide job opportunities in the form of poultry, fishery, piggery, animal husbandry and horticulture, he said adding efforts need to be made for self-employment avenues.Besides examining the financial condition of the violence affected people and their security, the NCM vice chairman studied the eduction scenario and health services in the district too.Concrete steps were needed to ensure resumption of studies by children and other students as many of them had discontinued studies due to violence, he said.Sangliana is likely to interact with Christian leaders, NGO activists and district officials here tomorrow, sources said.
A stitch in time saves Nine: Lesson from the judgment in Kandhamal Riot Case
Date: 07 July 2010
"Recently in Orissa, a sitting MLA Manoj Pradhan has been sentenced by the phulbani fast track court to seven years in jail for involvement in rioting and arson. Manoj Pradhan has been elected as MLA from G Udaygiri assembly constituency as a BJP candidate. This Kandhamal case carries much more importance than Ruchika and Jessica Lal and all such cases because these are the crimes that are related with individuals while a riot is one which the general public has to face and suffer. Thus a judgment in one of the crimes related with riots has a much higher relevance and impetus to the masses and has much more message to convey. In such circumstances, if the crimes related with riots (religious, political, caste-based etc) are not decided in a swift manner, it gives a very bad message to the society and acts as a huge bolster to the other rioters."
Amitav Thakur
29th June 2010 must be considered an important day in the history of Indian judicial system. Not that some new law was promulgated on that day nor was any new judicial body set up. There was not even a major judicial structural change as well. Yet, what happened that day is something that would go a long way in restoring our faith in Indian socio-political structure. At the same time, it would help redeem the respect of Indian populace for our judicial system.
It is on this date that in Kandhamal district Orissa, an important judgment was delivered that went on to sentence the powerful local politician and MLA from an important political party in matters related with communal riots. What is even more heartening is that the judgment was delivered by a fast-track court within a span of 2 years of the incidence. Manoj Pradhan, the convicted was an influential leader of Kandhamal and a sitting MLA who happened to be close to Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.
It was in August 2008 that the murder of an important Hindu religious leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides had triggered a massive and highly damaging riot which went on for months (which has been alleged by many as being a result of the deliberate laxity on the government’s part). The end result was what always happens in every riotous situation - the poor and the have-nots bore the brunt of the attack. While thousands of Christians were forced to leave their houses, the heat was equally felt by the poor Hindu tribal communities. It is alleged that Manoj Pradhan played a major role in instigating the riots and led it from the front, taking part in arson, murder and other heinous offences during the riots. Pradhan later got arrested and subsequently got his bail.
Meanwhile the matter came for trial before the Fast Track Court in Kandhamal district. Nearly two dozen cases were registered in different police stations in that period. In fact 17 cases were registered against Manoj Pradhan himself. So far decisions in 12 cases related to him have come and he has been absolved in 11 of them. In the latest judgment he has been found guilty along with Pafulla Mallik and 14 others on charges of rioting, causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons and arson. They have been given 7 years of rigorous imprisonment each. Thus five cases are still pending before him.
The judgment has been received by different people in different ways. There is a group that says that the punishment has been too less and lenient considering the heinous nature of the crime. They would have been satisfied if the maximum prescribed punishment were imposed on the accused. The other group has an exactly opposite view and openly claim that Manoj Pradhan was falsely implicated in the matter and he is completely innocent. They say that an appeal will be made in the Orissa High Court which shall help bring forth the truth. There are also the sufferers and the poor people who are too frightened to articulate any opinion in any way and for whom the only thing that matters is that such things don’t repeat again.
For a person like me and you, it would neither be prudent nor legal to comment on the judgment per se and give our own opinion as it’s still in the judicial process. But one thing that really gives me immense satisfaction is the fact that justice (whether as acquittals or as convictions) is being delivered in these cases in a relatively fast manner, that too considering the fact that this is a highly contentious, political and religiously charged and emotive issue. “Justice delayed is justice denied” they say, but due to so many reasons this is exactly what is happening in our country in many cases. Look at the SPS Rathode case in Haryana. In incidence took place in 1990 and the judgment was delivered in 2010. What meanings do such judgments have for all the concerned parties? Many a times the accused and the victim are dead and gone, at other times they are too old, helpless or weak as to suffer or rejoice the verdict. In short, it becomes a mere mockery and some kind of ritual. I recently read of a judgment related with Shibu Soren, the ex-Chief Minister of Jharkhand who was found not guilty in a murder case of late 1970s. So after more than 30 years it is found that Shibu Soren had not caused that murder. What relevance do such judgements have in the eyes of the public, for the accused, for the victims, for the prosecution and even for the Judge who is delivering it?
What even pains more is that even Judiciary seems to have got affected by the Media bug or the Media pressure. An apt example would again be the same Ruchika case, where after 19 years, 40 adjournments, and more than 400 hearings, the court finally pronounced Rathore guilty under Section 354 IPC (molestation) and sentenced him to six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000. But the moment there was a huge uproar across the Nation, another Court could deliver the judgment in less than 6 months sentencing him to one and a half years of rigorous imprisonment.
But to me, the Kandhamal case carries much more importance than Ruchika and Jessica Lal and all such cases because these are the crimes that are related with individuals while a riot is one which the general public has to face and suffer. Thus a judgment in one of the crimes related with riots has a much higher relevance and impetus to the masses and has much more message to convey. In such circumstances, if the crimes related with riots (religious, political, caste-based etc) are not decided in a swift manner, it gives a very bad message to the society and acts as a huge bolster to the other rioters. If there is not enough evidence against a person, leave him/her for good. Otherwise convict the person to the equitable punishment that seems to be deserving. But to choose a middle path (which Lord Buddha would never have advocated) of lingering the matter for years is nothing but akin to becoming a party to the crime itself. If the Delhi riot of 1984, the Ayodhya events of 1992 or the Gujarat riots of 1992 are still pending in Courts with no near chances of their getting decided (either way), don’t they also act as potential precursors of future riots, giving such criminal mindsets an example to emulate and follow?
I sincerely believe that judgments in all such riot related matters must be delivered in a timely manner and swift (and correct) decisions must be arrived at in the minimum possible time, even at the cost of some criticism here and there (which any judicial pronouncement is bound to face anyway, because of vested interests and varying perspectives).
(Author is an IPS officer and the President of IRDS, Lucknow)
"Recently in Orissa, a sitting MLA Manoj Pradhan has been sentenced by the phulbani fast track court to seven years in jail for involvement in rioting and arson. Manoj Pradhan has been elected as MLA from G Udaygiri assembly constituency as a BJP candidate. This Kandhamal case carries much more importance than Ruchika and Jessica Lal and all such cases because these are the crimes that are related with individuals while a riot is one which the general public has to face and suffer. Thus a judgment in one of the crimes related with riots has a much higher relevance and impetus to the masses and has much more message to convey. In such circumstances, if the crimes related with riots (religious, political, caste-based etc) are not decided in a swift manner, it gives a very bad message to the society and acts as a huge bolster to the other rioters."
Amitav Thakur
29th June 2010 must be considered an important day in the history of Indian judicial system. Not that some new law was promulgated on that day nor was any new judicial body set up. There was not even a major judicial structural change as well. Yet, what happened that day is something that would go a long way in restoring our faith in Indian socio-political structure. At the same time, it would help redeem the respect of Indian populace for our judicial system.
It is on this date that in Kandhamal district Orissa, an important judgment was delivered that went on to sentence the powerful local politician and MLA from an important political party in matters related with communal riots. What is even more heartening is that the judgment was delivered by a fast-track court within a span of 2 years of the incidence. Manoj Pradhan, the convicted was an influential leader of Kandhamal and a sitting MLA who happened to be close to Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.
It was in August 2008 that the murder of an important Hindu religious leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides had triggered a massive and highly damaging riot which went on for months (which has been alleged by many as being a result of the deliberate laxity on the government’s part). The end result was what always happens in every riotous situation - the poor and the have-nots bore the brunt of the attack. While thousands of Christians were forced to leave their houses, the heat was equally felt by the poor Hindu tribal communities. It is alleged that Manoj Pradhan played a major role in instigating the riots and led it from the front, taking part in arson, murder and other heinous offences during the riots. Pradhan later got arrested and subsequently got his bail.
Meanwhile the matter came for trial before the Fast Track Court in Kandhamal district. Nearly two dozen cases were registered in different police stations in that period. In fact 17 cases were registered against Manoj Pradhan himself. So far decisions in 12 cases related to him have come and he has been absolved in 11 of them. In the latest judgment he has been found guilty along with Pafulla Mallik and 14 others on charges of rioting, causing grievous hurt by dangerous weapons and arson. They have been given 7 years of rigorous imprisonment each. Thus five cases are still pending before him.
The judgment has been received by different people in different ways. There is a group that says that the punishment has been too less and lenient considering the heinous nature of the crime. They would have been satisfied if the maximum prescribed punishment were imposed on the accused. The other group has an exactly opposite view and openly claim that Manoj Pradhan was falsely implicated in the matter and he is completely innocent. They say that an appeal will be made in the Orissa High Court which shall help bring forth the truth. There are also the sufferers and the poor people who are too frightened to articulate any opinion in any way and for whom the only thing that matters is that such things don’t repeat again.
For a person like me and you, it would neither be prudent nor legal to comment on the judgment per se and give our own opinion as it’s still in the judicial process. But one thing that really gives me immense satisfaction is the fact that justice (whether as acquittals or as convictions) is being delivered in these cases in a relatively fast manner, that too considering the fact that this is a highly contentious, political and religiously charged and emotive issue. “Justice delayed is justice denied” they say, but due to so many reasons this is exactly what is happening in our country in many cases. Look at the SPS Rathode case in Haryana. In incidence took place in 1990 and the judgment was delivered in 2010. What meanings do such judgments have for all the concerned parties? Many a times the accused and the victim are dead and gone, at other times they are too old, helpless or weak as to suffer or rejoice the verdict. In short, it becomes a mere mockery and some kind of ritual. I recently read of a judgment related with Shibu Soren, the ex-Chief Minister of Jharkhand who was found not guilty in a murder case of late 1970s. So after more than 30 years it is found that Shibu Soren had not caused that murder. What relevance do such judgements have in the eyes of the public, for the accused, for the victims, for the prosecution and even for the Judge who is delivering it?
What even pains more is that even Judiciary seems to have got affected by the Media bug or the Media pressure. An apt example would again be the same Ruchika case, where after 19 years, 40 adjournments, and more than 400 hearings, the court finally pronounced Rathore guilty under Section 354 IPC (molestation) and sentenced him to six months imprisonment and a fine of Rs 1,000. But the moment there was a huge uproar across the Nation, another Court could deliver the judgment in less than 6 months sentencing him to one and a half years of rigorous imprisonment.
But to me, the Kandhamal case carries much more importance than Ruchika and Jessica Lal and all such cases because these are the crimes that are related with individuals while a riot is one which the general public has to face and suffer. Thus a judgment in one of the crimes related with riots has a much higher relevance and impetus to the masses and has much more message to convey. In such circumstances, if the crimes related with riots (religious, political, caste-based etc) are not decided in a swift manner, it gives a very bad message to the society and acts as a huge bolster to the other rioters. If there is not enough evidence against a person, leave him/her for good. Otherwise convict the person to the equitable punishment that seems to be deserving. But to choose a middle path (which Lord Buddha would never have advocated) of lingering the matter for years is nothing but akin to becoming a party to the crime itself. If the Delhi riot of 1984, the Ayodhya events of 1992 or the Gujarat riots of 1992 are still pending in Courts with no near chances of their getting decided (either way), don’t they also act as potential precursors of future riots, giving such criminal mindsets an example to emulate and follow?
I sincerely believe that judgments in all such riot related matters must be delivered in a timely manner and swift (and correct) decisions must be arrived at in the minimum possible time, even at the cost of some criticism here and there (which any judicial pronouncement is bound to face anyway, because of vested interests and varying perspectives).
(Author is an IPS officer and the President of IRDS, Lucknow)
PM enquired about Kandhamal riot victims during Orissa visit
Date : 28th December 2009
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh enquired from a Congress delegation about the situation in Kandhamal, the scene of last year's communal riots, during his brief visit to the state, surprising those who tried to raise issues like multi-crore mining scams and farmers' suicides.
"How is the ground situation in Kandhamal?” Singh asked the delegation, led by the leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh, Monday.
The Congress delegation, mostly comprising sitting MLAs of the Orissa Assembly, which tried to impress upon Singh on the multi-crore mining scam and a series of farmer suicide incidents in the state, were instead asked whether normalcy had completely returned in the district.
"Have all the people returned to their villages?” the PM asked, according to a member of the delegation.
Though there had been no violence in the district since last 15 months, all those who fled the region were yet to return to villages, they informed the PM adding, those remained in the district were still under apprehension of fresh violence.
"The sense of fear still continues among the people belonging to minority community," the delegation told the Prime Minister.
The riots had claimed at least 38 lives besides burning of hundreds of houses and churches in the aftermath of the VHP leader Swami Laxamanananda Saraswati last year.
Singh had earlier dubbed the incident as a "national shame".
During its about 20-minute meeting with the Prime Minister, the Congress delegation sought his intervention into the mining scam.
"We wanted the PM to do something so that the case would be probed by the CBI instead of the state vigilance", said an MLA.
The delegation which met Singh at Raj Bhavan here between his two programmes - inaugural function of Indian Economic Association and foundation stone laying ceremony of the new campus of the NISER, also drew the Prime Minister's attention to the distress sale of paddy in the state.
The delegation informed the PM about the plight of tribals, dalits and other backward class population in the state's KBK region besides drawing his attention to the increasing Maoist violence here.
Bhubaneswar: Prime Minister Manmohan Singh enquired from a Congress delegation about the situation in Kandhamal, the scene of last year's communal riots, during his brief visit to the state, surprising those who tried to raise issues like multi-crore mining scams and farmers' suicides.
"How is the ground situation in Kandhamal?” Singh asked the delegation, led by the leader of opposition Bhupinder Singh, Monday.
The Congress delegation, mostly comprising sitting MLAs of the Orissa Assembly, which tried to impress upon Singh on the multi-crore mining scam and a series of farmer suicide incidents in the state, were instead asked whether normalcy had completely returned in the district.
"Have all the people returned to their villages?” the PM asked, according to a member of the delegation.
Though there had been no violence in the district since last 15 months, all those who fled the region were yet to return to villages, they informed the PM adding, those remained in the district were still under apprehension of fresh violence.
"The sense of fear still continues among the people belonging to minority community," the delegation told the Prime Minister.
The riots had claimed at least 38 lives besides burning of hundreds of houses and churches in the aftermath of the VHP leader Swami Laxamanananda Saraswati last year.
Singh had earlier dubbed the incident as a "national shame".
During its about 20-minute meeting with the Prime Minister, the Congress delegation sought his intervention into the mining scam.
"We wanted the PM to do something so that the case would be probed by the CBI instead of the state vigilance", said an MLA.
The delegation which met Singh at Raj Bhavan here between his two programmes - inaugural function of Indian Economic Association and foundation stone laying ceremony of the new campus of the NISER, also drew the Prime Minister's attention to the distress sale of paddy in the state.
The delegation informed the PM about the plight of tribals, dalits and other backward class population in the state's KBK region besides drawing his attention to the increasing Maoist violence here.
'Sangh parivar activists involved in Kandhamal riot' - Zee news
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Bhubaneswar: Members of the Sangh parivar were involved in the communal violence in Kandhamal which claimed at least 38 lives besides causing damage to 4640 houses, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Monday.
"It is learnt from investigation into the riot cases that the members of RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal were involved in the violence that took place last year," Patnaik told the Assembly while replying to a question by a CPI member.
Sangh Parivar activists were arrested in this connection. Of them 85 were of the RSS and 321 members of VHP were rounded up on charge of riot. The number of Bajrang Dal workers arrested on charge of violence was 118, he said.
At least 27 persons allegedly involved in the riots were still in jails, the Chief Minister said.
He said house damage and house burning incidents were reported from at least 13 police station areas in Kandhamal.
To another question, Patnaik said the commission of inquiry probing the violence in Kandhamal after the killing of VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati had so far received affidavits of 383 persons and examined at least 34 government officials.
Bhubaneswar: Members of the Sangh parivar were involved in the communal violence in Kandhamal which claimed at least 38 lives besides causing damage to 4640 houses, Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Monday. "It is learnt from investigation into the riot cases that the members of RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal were involved in the violence that took place last year," Patnaik told the Assembly while replying to a question by a CPI member.
Sangh Parivar activists were arrested in this connection. Of them 85 were of the RSS and 321 members of VHP were rounded up on charge of riot. The number of Bajrang Dal workers arrested on charge of violence was 118, he said.
At least 27 persons allegedly involved in the riots were still in jails, the Chief Minister said.
He said house damage and house burning incidents were reported from at least 13 police station areas in Kandhamal.
To another question, Patnaik said the commission of inquiry probing the violence in Kandhamal after the killing of VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati had so far received affidavits of 383 persons and examined at least 34 government officials.
Five awarded life term in Kandhamal riots case
Phulbani, Sept 23 (PTI) Five youths were today sentenced to life imprisonment by a local court for killing a pastor during riots in Orissa's Kandhamal district last year.
Fast Track Court-I judge S K Das awarded life term to Sabito Digal (30), Mania Pradhan (28), Dharmaraj Pradhan (32), Abinash Pradhan (29) and Papu Pradhan (30) for the murder of Akbar Digal, a pastor of a Baptist church at Tatamaha village under Raikia police station area.
Digal's throat was slit by the youths in presence of his wife Lodia Digal on August 26, 2008, barely two days after riots broke out in the aftermath of VHP leader Swami Laxamananda Saraswati's killing.
The five persons were arrested on an FIR lodged by the pastor's wife.
Fast Track Court-I judge S K Das awarded life term to Sabito Digal (30), Mania Pradhan (28), Dharmaraj Pradhan (32), Abinash Pradhan (29) and Papu Pradhan (30) for the murder of Akbar Digal, a pastor of a Baptist church at Tatamaha village under Raikia police station area.
Digal's throat was slit by the youths in presence of his wife Lodia Digal on August 26, 2008, barely two days after riots broke out in the aftermath of VHP leader Swami Laxamananda Saraswati's killing.
The five persons were arrested on an FIR lodged by the pastor's wife.
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.
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.
Chilling memories
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PRAFULLA DAS in Kandhamal
Charge sheets have finally been filed in the nun rape case in Orissa, but the wounds of last year’s violence are yet to heal.
PRAFULLA DAS in Kandhamal
Charge sheets have finally been filed in the nun rape case in Orissa, but the wounds of last year’s violence are yet to heal.
A camp at the Government High School at Tikabali in Kandhamal district. Classes are held in makeshift sheds outside. VIOLENCE has by and large come to an end in Kandhamal, but the district, now heavily policed by paramilitary forces, continues to live in the shadow of the communal carnage that tore it apart five months ago. The police administration, meanwhile, has managed to file charge sheets in the case of the rape of a nun and also that of the murder of Lakshmanananda Saraswati on August 23, 2008, which sparked off the lootings, arson and killings. Investigations in both cases, however, have been kept open because several suspects have not been arrested so far.
Lakshmanananda Saraswati of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) was killed by suspected Maoists. The Crime Branch has now confirmed that one of the seven people charge-sheeted for the murder is a Maoist, while the others are Maoist sympathisers who belong to the local population. Ten men have been charge-sheeted in the rape case, and efforts are on to arrest 20 other suspects.
Binod Chandra Digal (extreme right) and his family were the first to return to their village, Tengedapathar. Here, they stand on the remains of their home. A December 2008 picture. Meanwhile, the police in Kandhamal have registered a total of 780 cases in police stations across the district on the basis of complaints filed by riot victims. More than 11,000 people have been named as accused. Only 700, though, have been arrested so far. Many of the tribal people who attacked the Dalit Panas are on the run to avoid police action.
For the Dalit Panas, a largely Christian community that faced the wrath of their tribal brethren, the Kuis, life has not been the same ever since. Kandhamal was lush green when the violence started at the end of the rainy season last year. Now it is filled with the sights and sounds of spring. Flowers are now blooming across the district, but the divisive tensions that came to the fore with last year’s violence are refusing to go away.
THE DESTROYED BELIEVER'S Church at Tengedapathar. Not a single church destroyed in the violence has been rebuilt.More than 40 people were killed in the violence that followed the murder of Lakshmanananda Saraswati. Churches and homes of Christians were burnt down. Some 25,000 people fled their homes and sought shelter in relief camps set up in schools and other government buildings. They fled with their children, hiding in forests and hilly terrains, and braving the rains for days until they reached the camps in other parts of the district or in Berhampur, Bhubaneswar or Cuttack.
The number of people still living in relief camps is down to 6,500. But most of those who left the camps chose not to stay on in Kandhamal and are trying to rebuild their lives in Bhubaneswar or in other cities. People still living in the camps said that many of those who did return to Kandhamal could do so only after converting to Hinduism. Some district officials corroborated this version.
Ruben Digal (35), a resident of Breka village, said: “I have not been able to muster the courage to return to my village because if I go there I will have to change my religion and become a Hindu. We have been told by those working for the VHP and such other organisations that we should return to our villages as Hindus or leave Kandhamal for ever.”
Ruben has been living in a relief camp at the Tikabali block headquarter town since August 29, 2008, with his wife, two daughters and two sons. The administration has not been able to give him any work, and the education of all his children has come to a complete halt. One of his daughters, Runima, was a Class X student in a convent school at Raikia block when the violence drove them away from home. Like scores of other children in the camp, it is uncertain whether she will be able to appear in the board examinations that are now just a few months away.
A shopkeeper in Phulbani, the district headquarters, said: “The communal violence was the handiwork of divisive forces. The common man did not support the violence. Now the situation has improved, but people are apprehensive because the general elections are approaching.”
Most people are reluctant to talk about what happened. In the interior areas of Kandhamal, the suspicion seems to run deeper, and any outsider is suspect. The district is now largely peaceful, thanks to paramilitary personnel posted at sensitive locations, but sporadic clashes between members of different communities and between local residents and security personnel are reported from interior areas.
Indeed, the tensions between the tribal population and the Dalit communities have deepened, a situation that becomes particularly dangerous in the context of vote-bank politics. One consequence is that the people live in fear, while vested interests try to exploit the feeling of insecurity.
It is clear that Naveen Patnaik’s government has not been able to restore confidence in the local population. His government’s measures to rehabilitate the riot victims also fall far short of the actual requirements. Not a single damaged church has been rebuilt. As for the damaged homes, the compensation offered by the government is often not enough to rebuild them. “The roof of our house has multiple cracks, and all the doors and windows are burnt. What will we do with the Rs.20,000 that the government is going to give us for repairing the house?” said Sevika Digal, a resident of Tengedapathar who returned to her village recently. “The government should repair our houses instead of handing over the compensation money to us,” she said. A few other families in the village who had returned from relief camps said the sum of Rs.50,000, offered for completely damaged houses, was just not enough.
If the story of compensation and rehabilitation is one of too little too late, the people are also taking a hit as the economy of the district shows signs of distress in the aftermath of last year’s violence. Agriculture is suffering, and income from tourism has all but vanished.
The State government has announced a special development package for Kandhamal, but so far it is largely on paper. That the government is not serious seems evident from the fact that a top official who was appointed as Special Commissioner to oversee the implementation of the package continues to hold charge as Secretary of the Higher Education Department. The announcement of the package may help the State government to claim that it has done its bit. It may also help the ruling alliance to woo voters in the forthcoming elections. But political parties are unlikely to be in any great crisis to heal the wounds inflicted by the violence, for divisive politics brings in votes.
The Naveen Patnaik government passes off the Kandhamal violence as a case of ethno-communal conflict, denying that religious identity played a major role. But the flames were fanned by leaders who were trying to create a vote bank in the name of protecting the interests of the tribal Kui people of the district. Religion was a handy tool in their hands.
The violence raged for weeks as the tribal people were egged on by their leaders to attack the Dalit Panas. Policemen who tried to intervene were attacked, too. The violence was checked only after the administration swung into action and arrested a large number of people, including those belonging to the Sangh Parivar, following advisories from the Centre asking the State government to take strong measures to control the situation.•
Over 1 lakh accused in Kandhmal case, say Orissa cops
PHULBANI (Kandhmal): Holding trial for the accused in the recent communal riots in Kandhmal district of Orissa could turn out to be an onerous and
long drawn process as over a lakh people have been accused of their involvement in the violence. The police, based on 698 FIRs filed in connection with the carnage that happened mostly in August and September in the southern Orissa district, have found that 11,348 people are named accused, while over 89,424 people have been categorized as others in the complaints. "The number would go further up as 75 more cases have been lodged since we made the assessment a few days ago,'' a senior police officer said. Conducting investigation, arresting the accused and organizing trial for such a huge number of accused is being viewed as a "big challenge'' for the state administration, admitted officials. "This is an unprecedented situation in Orissa. We have never dealt with a law and order situation of this magnitude,'' pointed out a top cop. Officially, 39 people were killed in the religious mayhem. Police have so far arrested around 700 people in connection with the murders, arson and other violence that took place in Kandhmal. Even incarcerating those arrested has been a major headache as the states prisons are overcrowded. The jails in Kandhmal district could not accommodate such large number forcing us to shift a good person of the under trials to jails in Ganjam and other places, official sources said. In such a scenario, police are at odds to nab all the accused and, going by sources, want to concentrate on the core elements who number around 200. "Our focus is to punish the core accused. It would be unmanageable if we chase one lakh people. Besides considering it as a social problem we have to tackle the problem tactfully. Else, if we succeed in taking action all named and unnamed accused in the FIRs then peace would never return to Kandhmal,'' said the senior police officer. "We plan to club cases involving the same accused and focus only on those against whom evidence is available.'' DGP Manmohan Praharaj told TOI, "We have already put around 50 police officers of different ranks on the job to assist in investigating the case.''He admitted that the number of people accused in the cases is "huge''. "We will do whatever we can in step with the law.'' Special administrator, Kandhmal, Madhusudan Padhi said, The government has decided to set up fast track courts to expeditiously dispose of the cases.
Christmas mass passes off peacefully in Kandhamal
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Bhubaneswar (IANS): Midnight Christmas mass was attended by thousands of Christians amid tight security across Orissa, including Kandhamal district that had witnessed widespread anti-Christian violence earlier this year. In many places Hindus joined Christians in the celebrations, officials said Thursday.
"We have not received information of any trouble. It seems to be all peaceful," the Archbishop of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar Raphael Cheenath told IANS.
"We held the Christmas mass with prayer and singing," Cheenath said, adding that he is satisfied with the security arrangements made by the government.
"We are confident the Christmas celebrations will also pass off peacefully in the state," Cheenath said.
Midnight mass was held peacefully in Kandhamal amid heavy security cover.
Officials said except for the felling of two trees on the road in two places early Thursday no untoward incident was reported. The trees were promptly removed by security forces.
"There has been no problem so far," Kandhamal district collector Krishan Kumar told IANS by phone.
About 8,000 people still living in government-run relief camps in the district also attended the Christmas mass and decorated their camps, officials said.
Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread anti-Christian violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides Aug 23. At least 38 people were killed in the state and thousands of Christians forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by mobs. Extremist Hindu groups charged Christians with the murders, a charge repeatedly denied by Christian groups.
Bhubaneswar (IANS): Midnight Christmas mass was attended by thousands of Christians amid tight security across Orissa, including Kandhamal district that had witnessed widespread anti-Christian violence earlier this year. In many places Hindus joined Christians in the celebrations, officials said Thursday.
"We have not received information of any trouble. It seems to be all peaceful," the Archbishop of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar Raphael Cheenath told IANS.
"We held the Christmas mass with prayer and singing," Cheenath said, adding that he is satisfied with the security arrangements made by the government.
"We are confident the Christmas celebrations will also pass off peacefully in the state," Cheenath said.
Midnight mass was held peacefully in Kandhamal amid heavy security cover.
Officials said except for the felling of two trees on the road in two places early Thursday no untoward incident was reported. The trees were promptly removed by security forces.
"There has been no problem so far," Kandhamal district collector Krishan Kumar told IANS by phone.
About 8,000 people still living in government-run relief camps in the district also attended the Christmas mass and decorated their camps, officials said.
Kandhamal district, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread anti-Christian violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides Aug 23. At least 38 people were killed in the state and thousands of Christians forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by mobs. Extremist Hindu groups charged Christians with the murders, a charge repeatedly denied by Christian groups.
Fissures in BJP-BJD alliance over Kandhamal
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Special Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR: Cracks appeared in the ruling Biju Janata Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party alliance in Orissa over the Kandhamal issue with the BJP boycotting the BJD-BJP joint legislature party meeting on Tuesday.
The BJP legislators did not refrain from attending the joint legislature party meet as their party was not happy with the measures taken by the State government to deal with the Kandhamal situation.
Industry Minister and Leader of the BJP Legislature Party Biswabhushan Harichandan told presspersons that their legislators did not attend the joint meeting because the government had failed to arrest the killers of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati. Only three persons have been arrested for their involvement in the killing of the swami so far, but the remaining accused were still at large, Mr. Harichandan said. The BJP was also not happy with the manner in which the government was dealing with the issue of conversion in Kandhamal district, he added.
Strategy preparationThe joint legislature party had to meet to prepare the strategy to deal with the issues that would be raised by the Opposition parties in the winter session of the Assembly, scheduled to start on Wednesday.
The Kandhamal issue had rocked the Assembly in the last week of August with the BJP members demanding immediate arrest of the killers of the swami.
Pawar for ban on Christmas bandh
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Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, Nov 19: Taking a serious view on the proposed Orissa bandh threat given by VHP, RSS and Laxamananda Smruti Samiti, the ministerial delegation headed by Mr Sharad Pawar told chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik to "use his good offices" to see that it does not take place on a festive day and to ensure safety of life and property of people.
Mr Pawar’s note of caution to the CM assumes great significance in the backdrop of the fact that the Orissa bandh threat was issued at a rally and meeting held on 15 November in the presence of several ruling BJP ministers and leaders.
The home ministry had advised the state government not to permit the 15 November rally as it was lead to breach of peace but the state had assessed the situation and accorded permission.
Sensing trouble, Mr Pawar wondered why have a bandh on Christmas day, generally such agitation and bandhs are never held on festive days be it Christmas, Chat puja, Diwali or anywhere in the country.
If the bandh takes place on 25 December, it is the responsibility of the state government to protect life and property of all sections of people, said Mr Pawar.
Apparently embarrassed over the fact that some of his ministers were present at the rally when the threat was issued, chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik said "there should not be a bandh on Christmas day". He also mentioned apprehension of breach of peace but did not say whether he would appeal to the Samiti and Sangh Parivar to desist from such action.
Talking to reporters Mr Pawar made several telling points on the situation in Kandhamal district. We are not mandated to comment on the performance of the state or its handling of the Kandhamal situation, we will submit out report to the PM, maintained Pawar but went on to observe that the situation in the trouble torn district was tense.
There is tension and fear in the minds of people belonging to both sections, he said referring to those who were in relief camps and those who had fled to jungles fearing police action.
The state government should involve all sections in the peace process, the image of the state and nation is at stake, he observed.
People need to return to villages, harvest their crop and development activity has to be stepped up, he said.
Orissa: Britain to put pressure on India
Hasan Suroor
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LONDON: Britain and other European Union countries are to put pressure on the Indian government to protect Christians in Orissa and to ensure that victims of recent violent attacks by right-wing Hindu groups are able to return to their homes.
A EU delegation will visit Orissa next month to study the situation and make recommendations. Orissa would also be on the agenda of the next India-EU human rights dialogue to be held soon.
This was stated by Lord Bach, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Ministry of Justice, while speaking during a debate on Orissa in the House of Lords. He said the British government “unequivocally” condemned the incidents and urged New Delhi to uphold the right to freedom of religion.
However, Lord Bach rejected calls for an inquiry into the activities of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the U.K. on the ground that the organisation was not “proscribed” either in India or Britain.
“The U.K. government doos not consider the VHP to be a terrorist organisation under our law. The organisation is proscribed neither here nor in India, nor does the Indian government classify it as a terrorist organisation. Obviously, decisions on proscription must be proportionate and based on evidence that a group is involved in terrorism as defined in the Terrorism Act 2000,” he told a member who said the VHP, registered as a charity in Britain, had made a number of inflammatory statements.
Responding to members’ concern on the situation in Orissa, Lord Bach said: “The United Kingdom unequivocally condemns the recent violent attacks against Christians that have led to deaths, injuries and widespread displacements in Orissa. We have expressed our concerns to the appropriate Indian authorities in Delhi and London. The U.K. will continue to urge the Government of India to uphold the right to freedom of religion. Our High Commission in Delhi, along with European and other partners, continues to monitor the situation in Orissa.”
Politics and violence in Orissa
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Vishal Arora
Why have India’s tribal-majority districts witnessed the bloodiest anti-Christian attacks? The answer to this question indicates why at least 60 people were killed and more than 4,500 houses and churches destroyed in Kandhamal district of Orissa recently.
India saw its first large-scale attacks on the minority community in December 1998 in Gujarat’s Dangs district, where 93% of the population is tribal. In March 2004, anti-Christian violence broke out in Madhya Pradesh’s Jhabua district, where tribals constitute 85% of the population. Then followed the mayhem in December 2007, and again in August 2008 in Kandhamal, where nearly 52% of the population is tribal. These incidents took place during the rule of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) or its allies.
Photograph: Indranil Bhoumik / Mint
The Sangh Parivar worked in tandem with the BJP to “Hinduize” tribals. For instance, the Ekal Vidyalaya (one-teacher school) Foundation was registered as a “charitable” trust in 1999. It is well known that these schools, that operate mainly in tribal areas, seek to “Hinduize” tribals and oppose conversions among them. The BJP government aided these schools. More recently, Sangh outfits made an overt attempt to “Hinduize” tribals through the Shabri Kumbh rally in Dangs in February 2006. Shabri, a character in the Ramayan and tribal devotee who offered berries to Rama, was made into a goddess of the tribal population there.
Tribals form only around 9% of India’s population, but their votes are crucial. This is why BJP leader L.K. Advani launched his Sankalp Yatra from the tribal district of Jabalpur in February with an eye on the forthcoming elections in Madhya Pradesh. Later, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh laid the foundation stone of a new rail line in Jhabua, another tribal district in the state.
However, wooing tribals has not been easy for the BJP, which faces not only the Congress as an opponent, but also Christian missionaries. Christian agencies have been working in tribal areas for much longer. Due to their good development record and social acceptance—evident in the fact that a portion of the tribal population today is Christian—the BJP finds it difficult to compete with them and undermine their influence. Therefore, the BJP and other Sangh organizations launch hate campaigns and attacks on Christians under various pretexts, including that of “forced” conversions.
Tribals form only around 9% of India’s population, but their votes are crucial for any political party
Even in Kandhamal, Sangh outfits “befriended” the majority tribal community and not the minority Dalits, many of whom converted to Christianity in the last 100 years or more. What’s more, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) fuelled tensions in an already strained relationship between the two communities by using reservation and land issues. Exploiting these tensions, the Sangh organized a deadly wave of anti-Christian attacks using the unfortunate assassination of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati in August as a pretext. This is why when the Orissa Police recently confirmed the role of a Maoist group, that had claimed responsibility for the murder, a Sangh outfit circulated forged documents to implicate a local church.
Recall the attacks on Christians and their property in Kandhamal in December 2007 over an alleged attack on Saraswati—although there were no visible injuries on his body. Recall the 2004 Jhabua violence, which erupted after a nine-year-old Hindu girl was found murdered in a Christian school—a Hindu man was later arrested for the murder. Recall also the 1998 Dangs attacks that were launched after an alleged attack on a Hindutva rally—an allegation that had no evidence.
That the Orissa violence was organized is also clear from the fact that what started in one district soon spread to more than 14 districts of Orissa and several other states, mainly BJP-ruled Karnataka and Madhya Pradesh. This at a time when several state assembly elections as well as national elections are around the corner.
Vishal Arora is a Delhi-based commentator. Comments are welcome at theirview@livemint.com
Pawar to head central team to Kandhamal
New Delhi, Nov 12 (IANS) A four-member ministerial delegation, led by Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar, will visit Orissa's violence-hit Kandhamal district Nov 17, an official said Tuesday.
The team, during its two-day visit, would assess the situation in the district that witnessed anti-Christian attacks since Aug 25 following the killing of a Hindu leader. The other members of the central team are Tribal Affairs Minister P.R. Kyndiah, Transport Minister T.R. Baalu and Social Justice Minister Meira Kumar.
They are expected to discuss a rehabilitation plan for the thousands who fled their homes with the Orissa government, the official told IANS.
The team will hold talks with the Kandhamal district collector Nov 17 and visit refugee camps in Pikabali, Raikia and Nuagaon, before leaving for Bhubaneswar Nov 19, the official said.
The central team's visit comes in the wake of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's offer of financial help to reconstruct the churches and homes vandalised during the anti-Christian attacks in the state.
The prime minister had offered financial help when Samuel Kobiya, general secretary of the Geneva-based World Council of Churches (WCC) met him in New Delhi last month.
Different Christian groups had drawn Singh's attention towards the alleged harassment of Christians.
Kandhamal district saw large-scale attacks on Christians and their places of worship, after the Aug 23 killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda and four of his aides.
Though Maoist rebels have claimed responsibility for the killings, radical Hindu groups hold Christians responsible. At least, 38 people have been killed in the violence that has left more than 20,000 people homeless. Around 11,000 people are still living in relief camps.
IANS
Religious heads want centre shield - Complaints of atrocities submitted to CM
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Bhubaneswar, Nov. 10: A delegation of Christian leaders, led by Raphael Cheenath, the archbishop of the Cuttack-Bhubaneswar diocese, today requested chief minister Naveen Patnaik to retain central paramilitary forces in Kandhamal till the end of general elections. “Christians in camps and those who have taken distress departure from Kandhamal are afraid. There are few police personnel and those manning the outposts can’t defend themselves. Hence, we request for central forces to be stationed in the state till Parliament and Assembly polls are over,” said Cheenath. “Crimes are being committed at rural pockets, where police can’t reach,” he added. An estimated 10,000-15,000 Christians are living outside the district at present, most have migrated to camps in Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Berhampur. Besides, a large number has migrated to Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Gujarat. The delegation alleged that those who returned home were being converted to Hinduism. The complaints of the group were many; Some alleged that the body of a Christian man in Sarthaguda village under Tikabali block was not allowed to be buried in the village as he did not agreed to convert. Others informed the chief minister that Christians were not allowed to harvest their paddy, again if they did not agree to convert. The members also pointed out that FIRs were not being accepted in Daringibadi and Sarangada police stations. Hailing the decision of the government to set up a fast-track court in Kandhamal for expeditious trial of riot-related cases, the delegation demanded a similar court at G-Udaygiri. The judge should be from any religion other than Hinduism or Christianity, they insisted. Cheenath also said that the church was happy with the relief measures “to a certain extent”. “We have nothing to do with Naxalites and their statement related to Swami Laxnananda Saraswati. For the past three decades there has been a strong rebel presence in the state,” Cheenath replied to a question related to the death of the seer. Hearing adjourned Orissa High Court today adjourned a hearing on Utkal Christian Council’s petition challenging the validity of the appointment of former Lokpal Justice S.C. Mohapatra as the head of a commission probing into the murder of the seer till Wednesday. A two-judge bench of Chief Justice B.S. Chauhan and B.N. Mohapatra adjourned the hearing after a state counsel sought time to place arguments against the petition |
Profile sensitive dists, Sstate told
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BHUBANESWAR: Centre has asked the State Government to prepare profiles of communally sensitive districts and identify areas prone to such tensions basing on the history of religious conversions and reconversions.
The guidelines assume significance in the aftermath of the riots in Kandhamal district which had a history of conversion and reconversion. In its guidelines despatched to the State Government recently, the Centre has asked that a demographic profile of communally sensitive districts should be prepared.
Besides, disputes over land or any other issues which may have a potential for generating communal disputes and tension should be properly assessed, it said. Kandhamal not only had animosity between two communities over the issue of conversion, it also had a long history of dispute over land between the Kandhas and Panas.
The Centre directed that details about these things should be systematically maintained at each police station concerned. The officials in the police stations should keep a close watch on the situation in such areas apart from periodically visiting them for promoting public contact and interface with the civilian population and community leaders. Stating that police stations and posts should be set up in all sensitive and trouble-prone areas, the guidelines maintained that manpower requirements should be realistically assessed. Besides ensuring filling up of all vacancies in police stations, it directed that they should be provided with adequate personnel, weaponry, communication links, equipment for videography, vehicles and these requirements should be reviewed.
As intelligence failure is one of the main reasons for violence, the guidelines maintained that special attention should be given to developing mechanisms for intelligence and information gathering and suitably integrating them with the response mechanism. The intelligence feedback, especially from the ground level, should be effectively made use of by the administration, it said.
BHUBANESWAR: Centre has asked the State Government to prepare profiles of communally sensitive districts and identify areas prone to such tensions basing on the history of religious conversions and reconversions.
The guidelines assume significance in the aftermath of the riots in Kandhamal district which had a history of conversion and reconversion. In its guidelines despatched to the State Government recently, the Centre has asked that a demographic profile of communally sensitive districts should be prepared.
Besides, disputes over land or any other issues which may have a potential for generating communal disputes and tension should be properly assessed, it said. Kandhamal not only had animosity between two communities over the issue of conversion, it also had a long history of dispute over land between the Kandhas and Panas.
The Centre directed that details about these things should be systematically maintained at each police station concerned. The officials in the police stations should keep a close watch on the situation in such areas apart from periodically visiting them for promoting public contact and interface with the civilian population and community leaders. Stating that police stations and posts should be set up in all sensitive and trouble-prone areas, the guidelines maintained that manpower requirements should be realistically assessed. Besides ensuring filling up of all vacancies in police stations, it directed that they should be provided with adequate personnel, weaponry, communication links, equipment for videography, vehicles and these requirements should be reviewed.
As intelligence failure is one of the main reasons for violence, the guidelines maintained that special attention should be given to developing mechanisms for intelligence and information gathering and suitably integrating them with the response mechanism. The intelligence feedback, especially from the ground level, should be effectively made use of by the administration, it said.
Nun rape: TI parade on 10 Nov
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BHUBANESWAR, Nov 4: The sub divisional judicial magistrate, Balliguda in Kandhamal district has issued notices to the rape victim nun to remain present during test identification parade of the accused persons on 10 November.
The notice was addressed to Bishop House, Bhubaneswar in the absence of a proper address of the victim. The notice was dated 1 November.
The police had earlier prayed for conduct of TI parade in the case and appearance of the victim was essential. Nine people have been arrested in connection with the case.
Since the whereabouts of the nun is unknown and she was associated with a church which comes under the Bishop of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar notices were routed through the Bishop House contended a police officer.
Bishop House sources here however maintained that they were yet to receive any such notice.
It may be noted here that the victim nun who was raped on 25 August had said at a Press conference in New Delhi said she had no faith in the Orissa police. She demanded a CBI probe into the case.
Repeated efforts by the crime branch police to get in touch with her have failed till date. Chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik had also appealed to the nun to cooperate with the investigations and said that the police was willing to conduct the TI parade at any place of her choice.
Reliable sources today said it is highly unlikely that the nun will present herself at Balliguda or Kandhamal district for that matter. She may move the High Court and seek any alternate venue for the identification parade, noted these sources.
Nun rape case: 5 more cops suspended
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BHUBANESWAR: The State Government today suspended five police personnel, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector, for dereliction of duty in connection with the nun rape case a week after she alleged that police deployed at K Nuagaon in Kandhamal district did not come to her rescue while she was paraded on the streets.
The incident occurred on August 25 at K Nuagaon when the nun was allegedly raped and Father Thomas Chellan was assaulted by a mob. The nun had read out a statement at New Delhi last week describing her trauma and alleged that some of the policemen deployed there were even friendly with the perpetrators of the crime.
Those suspended include ASI Rasanand Mallick, who was in charge of law and order, havildar major K.N.
Mohapatra and havildars SK Hamim, J.S. Khan and B.K. Mohanty.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had asked Collector Krishen Kumar and SP Praveen Kumar on Wednesday to submit a report within 24 hours identifying the erring policemen who were deployed at K Nuagaon that day and had not come to the rescue of the nun.
The action was taken on the basis of the joint report. Earlier, Baliguda police station officer in-charge K.N. Rao was suspended for failing to take steps after the nun lodged an FIR on August 26. The Chief Minister has taken the view that the rape incident has brought more bad name for the State than the Kandhamal violence. A message should be sent to the rank and file of police by punishing those deployed at K Nuagaon on that day. The move is also aimed at restoring the confidence of the people in the riothit Kandhamal district.
BHUBANESWAR: The State Government today suspended five police personnel, including an Assistant Sub-Inspector, for dereliction of duty in connection with the nun rape case a week after she alleged that police deployed at K Nuagaon in Kandhamal district did not come to her rescue while she was paraded on the streets.
The incident occurred on August 25 at K Nuagaon when the nun was allegedly raped and Father Thomas Chellan was assaulted by a mob. The nun had read out a statement at New Delhi last week describing her trauma and alleged that some of the policemen deployed there were even friendly with the perpetrators of the crime.
Those suspended include ASI Rasanand Mallick, who was in charge of law and order, havildar major K.N.
Mohapatra and havildars SK Hamim, J.S. Khan and B.K. Mohanty.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had asked Collector Krishen Kumar and SP Praveen Kumar on Wednesday to submit a report within 24 hours identifying the erring policemen who were deployed at K Nuagaon that day and had not come to the rescue of the nun.
The action was taken on the basis of the joint report. Earlier, Baliguda police station officer in-charge K.N. Rao was suspended for failing to take steps after the nun lodged an FIR on August 26. The Chief Minister has taken the view that the rape incident has brought more bad name for the State than the Kandhamal violence. A message should be sent to the rank and file of police by punishing those deployed at K Nuagaon on that day. The move is also aimed at restoring the confidence of the people in the riothit Kandhamal district.
Orissa victim Fr. Bernard Digal passes away
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Archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneshwar Raphael Cheenath SVD in a communiqu with Mangalorean.com said that Fr. Digal had been to Chennai to visit the Vicar General of the Archdiocese who had undergone a bypass surgery. While in Chennai Fr. Digal again developed health complications due to the internal injuries that he had received, and was admitted to St. Thomas Hospital in Chennai where he was operated by the doctors to remove a blood clot from his brain.
Archbishop Raphael Cheenath SVD rushed to Chennai to be at his side when he learnt that Fr. Digal's condition further deteriorated. Fr. Bernard who was kept on respirator slipped into coma as both his lungs collapsed and he passed away on the night of Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 9:25pm(local time).
Archbishop Raphael Cheenath who administered the Sacrament of anointing of the Sick, mourning the death of Fr. Digal said that, "The Church in Orissa is blessed with a Martyr for the suffering and persecuted Church. May he now enjoy the Crown of glory from His Lord and Master, he said adding "Let us continue to show our solidarity and our spiritual closeness to our people in Orissa."
According to the Archbishop, Fr. Digal's body will be flown to Archbishop's house in Bhuvaneshwar today October 29, 2008. Fr. Digal was a native of Tiangia, Raikia (Khandamal district) and he had mentioned in his will that he would be laid to rest in his native place after his death. "If the situation permits, we will fulfill his wish and he will be laid to rest according to his will," Archbishop told mangalorean.com.
Fr Digal was brutally beaten up on August 25 and was left in the forest half naked and bleeding the entire night. He was later admitted to the Holy Spirit Hospital in Mumbai.
"The Christians in the district of Kandhamal have a powerful intercessor in heaven, Fr. Bernard will now continue his work for our people from his heavenly home," he said.
Bajrang Dal planned Orissa violence: CPM
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NEW DELHI: The issue of anti-Christian violence in Orissa and Karnataka echoed in the Lok Sabha on Friday. Left and other parties accused the BJD-BJP
and BJP governments, respectively, of inaction against offshoots of the RSS that were alleged to be behind the attacks. ' In a heated discussion between Left parties and BJP-BJD MPs, which forced a 90-minute adjournment of the House, CPM member Basudeb Acharia accused the police and administration in the two states of remaining “mute spectators” even as Christians were butchered. This was enough to get BJP and BJD MPs on their feet who described the recent violence as ethnic strife borne out of rivalry between Pana and Khand tribes. Initiating the discussion on attacks on Christians and their institutions in Orissa and Karnataka, Mr Acharia equated the violence to the 2002 Gujarat riots saying, “Christians have been butchered” in the two states. Alleging that the report card was “grim” with over 50 Christians killed on burnt alive and a nun raped in Orissa, Mr Acharia said that all this was despite the fact that the killing of VHP leader Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati — the alleged trigger for the anti-Christian attacks by Hindu outfits — was an act of the Maoists. “But within an hour of the killing on August 23, Bajrang Dal and VHP organised themselves with guns and swords, attacked Christians and burnt their houses,” the CPM leader alleged. Describing the attacks as planned, Mr Acharia charged the state police and administration of remaining a “silent spectator” to the mindless violence. “The Hindutva goons were given a free hand and all police forces were withdrawn,” he alleged. He dismissed suggestions that the violence had to do with forced conversions stating that tribals had their own religion which is animistic. In Karnataka, Mr Acharia pointed out, the president of Bajrang Dal had himself stated that he had destroyed several churches. “Despite that the state government has not done anything,” he said suggesting that the Hindu forces wanted to “convert Karnataka into a Hindutva laboratory.” Mr Acharia also took the Centre to task for not ‘doing enough’ to correct the situation in Orissa and Karnataka. This, he said, was obvious when nothing came out of the recent meeting of the National Integration Council. Coming forward to defend the response of the Orissa government to the attacks in Kandhamal, BJP MP Kharabela Swain recalled that over 1,000 people had already been arrested. Mr Swain also recalled that the nun who had pressed rape charges had refused to come forward to identify the culprits. (See adjacent report). In any case, he argued that the violence was essentially on account of rivalry between the Pana and Khand tribes. To buttress his claim, Mr Swain quoted from Union home minister Shivraj Patil’s recent statement that the strife in Orissa was not a communal one but rather an ethnic one. This was objected to by Mr Patil, who intervened immediately saying that “please don’t put words into my mouth.” Stating that the government could do little to resolve the ethnic conflict, Mr Swain assured the House that the “BJP is not against Christians...we respect them as they are very sophisticated and learned.” Participating in the debate, Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar put the entire blame for the Orissa situation on the ruling BJD’s alliance with the BJP. “BJD is saying conversions are responsible for the violence in the state. But conversions cannot be made an excuse for mass murder, mass arson and mass displacement.” He pointed out that the state government had allowed VHP leader Praveen Togadia to visit the trouble-torn regions to spread “more hatred” but did not allow minister of state for home.
NEW DELHI: The issue of anti-Christian violence in Orissa and Karnataka echoed in the Lok Sabha on Friday. Left and other parties accused the BJD-BJP
and BJP governments, respectively, of inaction against offshoots of the RSS that were alleged to be behind the attacks. ' In a heated discussion between Left parties and BJP-BJD MPs, which forced a 90-minute adjournment of the House, CPM member Basudeb Acharia accused the police and administration in the two states of remaining “mute spectators” even as Christians were butchered. This was enough to get BJP and BJD MPs on their feet who described the recent violence as ethnic strife borne out of rivalry between Pana and Khand tribes. Initiating the discussion on attacks on Christians and their institutions in Orissa and Karnataka, Mr Acharia equated the violence to the 2002 Gujarat riots saying, “Christians have been butchered” in the two states. Alleging that the report card was “grim” with over 50 Christians killed on burnt alive and a nun raped in Orissa, Mr Acharia said that all this was despite the fact that the killing of VHP leader Swami Lakshmananda Saraswati — the alleged trigger for the anti-Christian attacks by Hindu outfits — was an act of the Maoists. “But within an hour of the killing on August 23, Bajrang Dal and VHP organised themselves with guns and swords, attacked Christians and burnt their houses,” the CPM leader alleged. Describing the attacks as planned, Mr Acharia charged the state police and administration of remaining a “silent spectator” to the mindless violence. “The Hindutva goons were given a free hand and all police forces were withdrawn,” he alleged. He dismissed suggestions that the violence had to do with forced conversions stating that tribals had their own religion which is animistic. In Karnataka, Mr Acharia pointed out, the president of Bajrang Dal had himself stated that he had destroyed several churches. “Despite that the state government has not done anything,” he said suggesting that the Hindu forces wanted to “convert Karnataka into a Hindutva laboratory.” Mr Acharia also took the Centre to task for not ‘doing enough’ to correct the situation in Orissa and Karnataka. This, he said, was obvious when nothing came out of the recent meeting of the National Integration Council. Coming forward to defend the response of the Orissa government to the attacks in Kandhamal, BJP MP Kharabela Swain recalled that over 1,000 people had already been arrested. Mr Swain also recalled that the nun who had pressed rape charges had refused to come forward to identify the culprits. (See adjacent report). In any case, he argued that the violence was essentially on account of rivalry between the Pana and Khand tribes. To buttress his claim, Mr Swain quoted from Union home minister Shivraj Patil’s recent statement that the strife in Orissa was not a communal one but rather an ethnic one. This was objected to by Mr Patil, who intervened immediately saying that “please don’t put words into my mouth.” Stating that the government could do little to resolve the ethnic conflict, Mr Swain assured the House that the “BJP is not against Christians...we respect them as they are very sophisticated and learned.” Participating in the debate, Union minister Mani Shankar Aiyar put the entire blame for the Orissa situation on the ruling BJD’s alliance with the BJP. “BJD is saying conversions are responsible for the violence in the state. But conversions cannot be made an excuse for mass murder, mass arson and mass displacement.” He pointed out that the state government had allowed VHP leader Praveen Togadia to visit the trouble-torn regions to spread “more hatred” but did not allow minister of state for home.
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