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Riot-hit Kandhamal remains volatile : Congress, Left for Central intervention

	September 08, 2008

The situation in Orissa’s riot-hit Kandhamal district continues to be volatile. At least 80 houses were torched in fresh violence on Sept. 2.



Over 30,000 Christians who once called the district their home, are now living as refugees. About half of them have sought protection in 11 relief camps set up by the district administration.



Stray incidents are continuing as even on Sept. 4 over 2000 armed persons from nearby areas attacked a relief camp at the Government High School in Tikabali block.



Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil who visited the district last week, said in Bhubaneshwar on Sept. 3 that fear haunted people in the riot-hit areas. He called for sustained efforts by the State Government and the Centre to restore confidence in the riot-hit people so that they could lead a normal life.



Union Minister Chandrasekhar Sahu, leader of the Opposition in the State Assembly, J.B. Patnaik and Pradesh Congress president Jayadev Jena accompanied Patil to Katingia village where four people were killed in the communal clashes that erupted after suspected Maoists murdered VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others on August 23.



Asked by journalists if the situation in Kandhamal was volatile or normal, Patil said: “I would like to describe the situation as in-between. It is neither volatile, nor normal.





Congress for Central intervention



The Congress has called for Central intervention following what it called “the grave law and order problem” in Orissa. It also sought a CBI probe into the killings and violence. A delegation led by Union Minister Ajay Maken submitted a memorandum to President Pratibha Patil on Tuesday, Sept. 2, requesting her to immediately intervene in the matter.



In a related development, party sources say Sonia Gandhi has asked the Orissa leaders of the party to campaign aggressively against the Bajrang Dal and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP). The state unit of the party has begun protests and rallies in Kandhamal, the hub of the recent communal violence.



There are reports that the Congress may also push for invocation of the Constitution’s Fifth Schedule to control the violence in Orissa. The Fifth Schedule gives extensive rights to the State Governor in matters relating to scheduled areas and scheduled tribes.





Left seeks President’s intervention



Left party MPs on Thursday, Sept. 4, urged President Pratibha Patil to intervene in Orissa and protect the lives and properties of Christians. A delegation of the Left parties also asked for a probe by the CBI into the killings and action against the Bajrang Dal. Gurudas Dasgupta, a member of the Left delegation said that it was prevented by the State Government from visiting Kandhamal.





PM assures package for affected families



On Monday, Sept. 1, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assured a relief package for the families of those who lost their lives or have been incapacitated in the recent violence in Orissa. He gave the assurance during a meeting with a delegation from Kerala that met him on the Orissa issue. Dr. Manmohan Singh said that he had spoken to Orissa Chief Minter Navin Patnaik who had assured him of firm action in the matter.



The delegation from Kerala, including Members of Parliament, also met Congress president Sonia Gandhi and Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil.





Apex court tells Orissa to protect life and property



On Wednesday, Sept.3, the Supreme Court directed the state Government to provide protection to people and their property in the riot-hit areas. Acting on Cuttack Archbishop’s charge that the Orissa police were hand in glove with the perpetrators of violence, and the State Government was a mute spectator, the Court asked the Chief Secretary to file an affidavit stating that the administration will take all steps to protect life and property.



The next day, the Navin Patnaik Government informed the Supreme Court that it would act tough and prevent any yatra with the ashes of slain religious leader Laxmanananda Saraswati. The court recorded the State’s undertaking that all possible steps would be taken to prevent any untoward incidents from taking place.



The State Government assured the Supreme Court that it will not allow VHP leader Parveen Togdia to take out any rally or yatra in the state.





Paswan calls for banning RSS, VHP and Bajrang Dal



Lok Janshakti Party president and Union Minister Ramvilas Paswan has demanded a ban on the RSS, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and the Bajrang Dal for alleged violence against Christians in Orissa. Speaking in New Delhi on Sept. 2, he also wanted an independent investigation into the activities of organisations inciting violence and a ban on them if they were found indulging in anti-national activity. Paswan said : “If the Students Islamic Movement of India has to be banned, then why not VHP, Bajrang Dal or the RSS.”