ACF demands CBI inquiry into Orissa communal clashes

Itanagar, Jan 3 (UNI) The Arunachal Christian Forum (ACF) has demanded a CBI inquiry into the recent communal clashes in Orissa and called for immediate deployment of paramilitary forces in the affected areas.

In separate memorandums submitted to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, ACF president Khyoda Apik and general secretary Toko Teki alleged that atrocities were being committed on the Christians in the state.

Criticising the Orissa government's ''phlegmatic'' response to requests from the Christian organisations to book the culprits, the ACF said, ''The targetting of Church leaders and concerted attacks on Christian institutions appears to be a conspiracy planned over a period of time with meticulous mobilisation.'' The ACF also alleged that the atrocities would not have been possible without the complicity of the administrative machinery and the backing of powerful political groups.

While demanding immediate compensation for the injured and next of kin of the victims, the ACF urged the authorities to constitute a committee to assess the damage.

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