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Christian council seeks CBI probe into violence

— PTI Photo

Rapid Action Force personnel patrolling at Raikia on Wednesday where two persons were injured in violence.

BHUBANESWAR: With communal violence in Orissa’s Kandhamal district spiralling out of control, intellectuals from divergent fields here on Wednesday demanded that army be deployed in the strife-torn district to prevent further loss of life and property.

Expressing displeasures over the State Government’s “failure” to control the violence that left many dead and religious institutions reduced to ashes, they said the Government should be dismissed immediately.

People from all walks of life would take out a peace march in the capital city on September 1 appealing for harmony.

They were of the view that exemplary action should be taken against culprits involved in killing to restore the trust of minority community, which had been at the receiving end in the ongoing violence.

Educationists, former bureaucrats, civil society groups, journalists and writers condemned the violence accusing that the State administration was a silent spectator with criminals taking over the affairs.

"Besides taking out a peace rally, we have already requested some Gandhian leaders and former Supreme Court judges to visit the district," said senior journalist Rabi Das, who was convenor of the meeting.

Lashing out at the State Government, teachers’ leader Abani Baral alleged that it was a State-sponsored violence and the hostility must end here.

Meanwhile, Utkal Christian Council (UCC) moved the Orissa High Court seeking court order for a CBI probe into the whole incident. "We don’t have the patience to wait for judicial commission appointed for probing the incident to submit its report. The CBI inquiry would clear the air. At Centre, Christian leaders also raised the demand for CBI probe," said Bibhu Dutta Das of UCC in a press conference.

Condemning the incident, Christian leaders of Orissa said, "the attacks on the innocent poor, especially women and children and religions personnel have resulted in grievous human disaster and loss of life and property."

"This has generated a strong sense of insecurity in the Christian community and Christian institutions that have served the poor and the State, especially in the areas of education and health," said Swarupananda Patra of All Orissa Baptist Churches Federation.

Leaders said they were deeply disturbed to see Christian community were targeted for their no fault. They claimed 12 persons were killed, 10,000 fled to nearby jungles and 600 churches were burnt during four days of the violence.

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