The Hindu : Front Page : Chidambaram offers apology at Kandhamal

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Saturday, Jun 27, 2009
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Chidambaram offers apology at Kandhamal

Vinay Kumar

PHULBANI (KANDHAMAL DISTRICT): Moved by the plight of violence-affected families living in tented accommodation in three relief camps here since last August, Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram on Friday apologised “for certain wrong happenings of last year.” Offering full protection, he urged them to return to their villages and resume normal lives.

About 10 village panchayats were affected when groups claiming allegiance to extremist Hindu organisations went on the rampage targeting Dalit and tribal Christians. The attacks were a fallout of the killing of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati.

Mr. Chidambaram took pains to convince the people to go back to their villages; at the Mandakia camp, he even gave his official phone numbers, asking them to contact him freely in case they feared for their safety. “Go back to your villages, build your homes and churches and practise your religion without any fear. I am assuring you of full security,” he told them.

Many people complained that several “criminal elements” were roaming freely and threatening them.

At the Tikabali relief camp, he said: “Christians are living everywhere in the country. I went to a Christian school and a Christian college. Be brave, resume your normal life, send your children to schools.”

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