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Fact-finding team to submit report soon

BHUBANESWAR: A two-member fact-finding team of National Minority Commission that made a tour to violence-hit Orissa’s Kandhamal district is expected to submit its report to the commission within the next three to four days.

The team, comprising of Dillip Padgaonkar and Jaya Hasan, met Governor Murlidhar Chandrakant Bhandare, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and officials to elicit their views and actions taken on the communal violence that created widespread concerns.

However, the two members could not enter the worst-hit pockets of the district and made their assessment after meeting people from different quarters at the district headquarters town of Phulbani on Monday.

Refusing to disclose its findings before media here on Tuesday, Mr. Padgaonkar said, “all our observations and insights will be communicated to the full commission because certain procedures we have to follow. We will do those things as quickly as we can.

And over next three to four days, we will prepare our reports.”

On the team’s inability to visit the ravaged villages, he said, “We went to the district headquarters where we met people who came from far-flung areas to meet us. Because of nature of terrain, it is very difficult for the commission to go everywhere.”

But the team was satisfied that it had been able to cover all points and meet all groups and individuals it could, Mr. Padgaonkar said here.

“We have been able to talk to people we wanted and visit places we wished to visit. We have just had five rounds of discussions with the government officials and also had detailed conversation with Mr. Patnaik,” he said

The veteran journalist said the Chief Minister had given a precise idea of what the government had done and intended doing for relief and rehabilitation for victims.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister reiterated that normalcy had returned to Kandhamal district and situation over there was calm.

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