VKA demands eviction of all illegal churches in Kandhmal

Bhubaneswar, Jan 4 (UNI) The Orissa Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram (VKA), an organisation working for the welfare of tribals, today demanded the eviction of illegally constructed churches and other establishments by Christian community in Kandhmal.

The VKA members, who sat on hour-long dharna in front of the Assembly in protest against the ''atrocities'' on Hindus by Christians in Kandhmal district, demanded a ban on organisations like ''Kui Jan Kalyan Sangh'' and World Vision for creating communal disharmony and tension in the district.

In a memorandum, signed by All India Vanavasi Kalyan Ashram president Jagdev Ram Oram and state president Lachhman Nayak addressed to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, the VKA alleged that illegal conversion was the main cause of the disturbance in the district and urged the government to strictly implement the Anti-conversion Act to check it.

The memorandum also demanded not to issue caste certificates without a thorough verification, stop arresting innocent Hindu tribals and verification of persons getting false certificates.

It also demanded immediate relief and rehabilitation of the affected families of Hindu community of Sirubali, Gagarpur, Brahamanigaon, Tiarigan, Kumbarigaon, Jhinjiriguda, Katinga villages and compensation of Rs five lakh to family of D Malik, killed in the clash, adequate compensation to the injured, immediate arrest of the culprits.

The VKA urged the state government to take necessary steps to ensure security to the life and property of Hindus and unconditional release of innocent tribals, arrested by police.

The memorandum expressed sorrow for the ''unfortunate incident'' which happened in Kandhamal district and hoped peace and harmony be restored in the district at the earliest.

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