ACHR demands release of probe report on Kalinganagar massacre

New Delhi, Jan 2 (UNI) The Asian Centre for Human Rights (ACHR) today demanded the release of the Justice A S Naidu Commission report on the Kalinganagar massacre in which 13 tribals were allegedly killed by the Orissa police a year ago.

''The judicial inquiry report must be made public to establish accountability for the acts of barbarism like chopping off hands, mutilation of the genitals and the use of iron objects, not bullets, to brutally kill the people,''ACHR Director Suhas Chakma said.

On August 9, 2006, the Justice Naidu Commission sought extension of its tenure due to the neglect by the Orissa government and lack of interest shown by the public prosecutor.

Mr Chakma said establishment of accountability was crucial to assuage the sufferings of the families of the victims and start meaningful negotiation to resolve the impasse He claimed that so far only one family has accepted compensation of Rs 5 lakh offered by the Orissa government.

''This indicates the need to find a holistic solution to the crisis of displacement and pauperisation of the tribals in the name of industrialisation,'' he added.

About 1.4 million people, most of them tribals, have been reportedly displaced in Orissa between 1951 and 1995 due to dams, canals, mines and industries, he said.

During 2002-2005 alone, the Orissa government signed 42 Memorandums of Understanding with companies for proposed steel and other plants in the state without adequate plans for proper rehabilitation, he added.

''The state must not act and benefit as the broker. In 2004, while the Orissa State government paid Rs 76,000 an acre to the original landowners, it sold the same land the rate of Rs 3.35 lakh per acre to the TATAs,'' Mr Chakma said .

''Unless the State government stops benefiting from the misery of the people, incidents like Kalinganagar will continue to recur,'' he warned.

UNI