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Violence: comprehensive package urged

Photo: Ashoke Chakrabarty

on a mission: Delegates of the Orissa Minority Forum emerging from a meeting with Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the Secretariat in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday.—

BHUBANESWAR: A delegation representing the National Minority Front (NMF), a non-government organisation, on Wednesday demanded that victims of communal violence in Kandhamal district be given a compensation package similar to that announced for victims of anti-Sikh riots.

Addressing a press conference here, S. N. Patro of the Orissa chapter of the NMF, said the State Government should come forward with a comprehensive package that should include compensation for loss of means of livelihood besides payment of costs towards loss of land, houses and lives.

He said settlement of victims posed a great challenge and the package should take care of all aspects.

The delegation requested Chief Minister to give permission to NGOs and churches to carry out their relief and rehabilitation work in the affected areas. The district authorities should be directed to extend all assistance and provide adequate security to them, it said.

Bishop D. K Sahu, general secretary of the National Council of Churches in India, said there was a fear psychosis prevailing in Kandhamal district and the terror was created by a group of people.

He said Mr. Patnaik refused to conduct probe into the incident by the CBI. Contrary to growing demands for banning Sangh Parivar outfits, Mr. Sahu said banning an organisation would not serve the purpose because they would come in different names. “The only solution is that people who are spreading hatred should be taken to the task,” he said.

Earlier “Call for Harmony”, a meet of intellectuals from all religions, was organised at Rabindra Mandap.

They said the State ought to maintain the secular character as enshrined in the Constitution and at no stretch of imagination should this be compromised with.

Christian leaders and other intellectuals from different parts of the country participated in the “call for harmony”.

They demanded that strict action be taken against police and administrative officials who failed to carry out their duties and responsibilities.

They urged the Government to set up a minority commission in the State to restore self-confidence and sense of security among people belonging to minority communities.

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