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Wednesday, Jul 02, 2008
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Recording of statements in Kandhamal violence

Staff Reporter

BHUBANESWAR: Six months after communal riots among people belonging to Hindu and Christian communities put Kandhamal district on boil, a citizen commission comprising voluntary organisations and other senior citizens here on Tuesday started recording statements of stakeholders.

“The commission will gather required information by way of written verified statements and also take oral evidence of all individuals, representatives of different organizations to analyse the cause of disturbances in Kandhamal, apart from analyzing all other printed materials and media report,” said Ajit Das, Member-Secretary of the commission.

Headed by Justice Choudhury P.K. Mishra, former judge of Orissa High Court, the panel consists of social worker Chandrika Mohapatra, veteran Oriya film personality Sarat Pujari, editor of local daily, Samaya, Satakodi Hota, musician Prafulla Kar and social scientist Dhiren Kumar Ray.

The commission would look into sequence of events and circumstances leading to the incidents, role of various organizations, role played by the administration and police in connection with the riots and any other matter or incidental related to violence.

As many 15 persons submitted their views on Tuesday. Sources said while seven belonged to Hindus, three were from Christian community and three from aesthetic group.

The commission proposed to hearing at Brahamigaon College, Daringibadi block and Baliguda of Kandhamal district.

Meanwhile, office of Special Relief Commission office said about 4051 people were affected in the communal violence that began in last week of December. Of them 1334 were identified to be from Hindu and 2717 from Christian community.

Joint Commissioner of Relief H. K Das said the State Government had so far spent over Rs. 3 crores on account of relief operation in the largest event other than natural calamity. “We have paid Rs. 1.72 crore towards construction of houses for riot hit people, Rs. 33.19 lakh providing food during post-riot three months an Rs. 20.67 lakh on relief materials,” Mr. Das said.

To take advantage of rehabilitation programmes, some 15 persons had burnt down their own homes, he said.

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