GCIC demand devp package for Kandhamal
Bhubaneswar,
Dec
30:
The
Global
Council
of
Indian
Christians
(GCIC)
today
demanded
the
authorities
to
announce
an
economic
development
package
for
Kandhamal
district
to
prevent
a
recurrence
of
communal
clash
in
the
area.
GCIC President Sajan K George said the lack of any signifiant development in the district had led to clashes between various communities often and demanded the government to announce a package to undertake development programmes in the district.
Mr George also wanted the authorities to provide free ration to people affected by the December 24 clash and to establish refugee camps for the victims.
The GCIC leader also demanded the government to announce a comprehensive compensation and rehabilitation package and publish a white paper on the measures taken by the government to rehabilitate the people.
The communal clash erupted on Monday after some members of the Christian community tried to erect a welcome gate on a disputed land at Brahamanigaon village despite the opposition from the tribal Hindus.
At least three people died, several injured and a number of places of worship were damaged during the clash. The authorites had imposed curfew, clamped Prohibitory Orders to quell the situation.
The government had also ordered a judicial inquiry and Minister for Steel and Mines Padmanav Behera had to resign over the issue.
UNI