Christian Council asks Centre to intervene in Orissa violence

Shillong, Sep 13 (UNI) The North East India Christian Council (NEICC) today expressed concern over the prevailing situation in Orissa, particularly in three districts, where Christians have become victims of communal hatred.

In a statement, the Working Committee of the NEICC asked the Centre to immediately intervene and defuse the prevailing tension in Orissa.

The Council also urged the Orissa government to immediately take appropriate steps to bring back normalcy, initiate confidence building measures and bring in para-military forces to maintain law and order.

Urging the Congress-led UPA government to immediately intervene and defuse the situation and remove irritants to peace and communal harmony, the Council said the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) and National Commission on Minorities should take immediate and appropriate steps to prevent another genocide so that Christians of Orissa and other states do not fall prey to sinister communal designs.

The working committee, meanwhile, also expressed concern over the unfortunate and unwarranted murder of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four others at his ashram in Kandhamal district in Orissa.

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