BJD compromised on communal peace to oblige BJP: Congress

New Delhi, Dec 31 (UNI) Questioning the political will of the BJD-BJP coalition government in Orissa in controlling the communal violence in Kandhamal district, the Congress Party today alleged that the BJD had compromised on communal peace to oblige the BJP.

''It is regrettable that the BJD had allowed the BJP and Vishwa Hindu Parishad to dictate their conduct in an extreme crisis situation,'' AICC Spokesman Abishek Manu Singhvi told mediapersons, while reminding that it was the primary responsibility of the state government to maintain law and order.

He said the VHP and its sister organisations had their hand in escalating the crisis and the state government had failed to uphold the rule of law.

Dr Singhvi said the communal violence had taken a serious dimension. Over 2000 people had been crammed in refugee camps.

Within a space of one week, thousands of houses were burnt to ashes.

More than 100 villagers were missing and churches had been burnt and ransacked.

He said the state government failed in the initial stage and ultimately the ugly situation went out of control.

Dr Singhvi said the centre had helped the state government to control the situation by sending additional Central Para-military forces. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh has asked Home Minister Shivraj Patil to visit the state.

UNI