Justice on 'Trial' gives clean chit to RSS,VHP in Kandhmal violence

Bhubaneswar, Feb 7 (UNI) Justice on Trial, a voluntary organisation which probed the cause of communal clashes in Kandhmal in December last year, today gave a clean chit to RSS and VHP.

'' There was no proof of RSS and VHP's involvement in the communal violence as alleged by the Christians,'' a fact finding committee of the organisation said in its interim report titled '' Kandhmal (Orissa) Root Cause,'' released here.

The committee which toured the riot affected areas of Phulbani, Baliguda, Barakhamba, Budaguda, Gumikia, Daringibadi, Godapur, Brahamanigaon, Kinarigaon in January last under the Chairmanship of G S Gill, the Additional Advocate General of Rajasthan found no evidence of the involvement of the RSS and VHP.

The report said Swami Laxamananda Saraswati was attacked by the Christian youths while he was on his way to Brahamanigaon after he heard that some Hindu youths were injured and shops belonging to them burnt over a conflict between the two communities over the erection of a welcome gate by the Christians.

The report said though Swamiji had been working there for more than 40 years and had a number of followers but none of his or VHP or RSS supporters were present while he was attacked.

It said though tension prevailed in the area prior to the incident on December 23 between the tribals and converted Pana Christians over the Scheduled Tribe status, but the conflict between the two communities over the erection of the welcome gate led to the communal clash.

While Kui Jan Kalyan Sangha was fighting for Panas to get ST status for them, the Kui Samanvaya Samiti was opposing the move.

The report suggested the authorities to increase the compensation for the houses damaged, continue the deployment of para military forces for sometimes more and efforts should be made to restore the good relation between various sections of the society.

The background of incident, role of administration, police, flow of foreign funds and their alleged utilisation for conversion should be brought under the scope of the Commission of inquiry.

A Commission should be appointed to inquire whether Kui is a language, caste and whether Panas of Kandhamal should be considered as a tribe.

The organisation submitted its report to the state's Governor and Chief Minister for necessary action.

UNI BD-DP KK KK HT2140