Centre taking Orissa issue seriously: Patil to Church leaders

New Delhi, Dec 27 (UNI) Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil today assured a delegation of church leaders that the Centre was taking the issue of the attack on the community seriously and all efforts were being made to bring normalcy in the Phulbani area of Orissa which had witnessed clashes between tribals and Christians.

A 20-member delegation of church leaders, which appealed to him to bring to books the criminals behind the attack on the poor Christians, were also informed that paramilitary forces had already been despatched to bring back peace in the affected areas.

Talking to UNI National Integration Council member John Dayal said Mr Patil also assured adequate compensation to the victims of the clashes and appealed to all to refrain from spreading rumours.

The Home Minister is likely to visit the affected areas in Orissa in the next two- three days, they said.

UNI