The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Communal tension in Kandhamal

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Tuesday, Oct 09, 2007
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Communal tension in Kandhamal

Staff Reporter

BERHAMPUR: Tension mounts up in Kandhamal district as Kui tribals are continuing their public meetings and awareness campaign among tribals against the Pana harijans of the district.

Three Kui tribal organisations of the district -- Nikhil Utkal Kui Samaj of G. Udaygiri, Kui Kula Samiti of Baliguda and Kui Samaj Seva Samiti -- have joined hands to form Kandhmal Zilla Kui Samaj coordination committee. They are opposed to recent demand by a section of Pana harijans to be identified as Kui tribals in official records as they speak Kui language and obey some tribal rituals. The recent tension started due to activities of an NGO named Phulbani Kui Jankalyan Sangh of Bhubaneswar which has approached Orissa high court with the demand that Panas of Kandhamal should be treated as tribals.

The secretary of the coordination committee, Lambodar Kanhar, has alleged that State Minister Padmanabh Behera is behind the effort. According to Mr. Kanhar, the committee has already sent letters to the State Government demanding removal of Mr. Behera from the Cabinet as he is involved in fanning communal tension for political gains.

Since last month the coordination committee of Kui tribals has held a series of meetings in different parts, where they have openly come out against Mr. Behera.

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