Naik demands immediate arrest of rioters in Kandhmal

Bhubaneswar, Sep 26 (UNI) Former Union Minister Nakul Naik today demanded immediate arrest of the rioters responsible for violence to restore peace in the strife-torn Kandhamal district.

Mr Naik told newspersons here that violence would continue in the area if rioters were allowed to move freely. Neither the peace committees nor the peace processions could help restore normalcy in the district.

He alleged that around 200 criminals who came from outside the districts to participate in the Samadhi of Swami Laxamanda Sarswati were indulging in violence and the administration was not taking any step against them.

The former minister also alleged that some leaders of the VHP,BJP and Bajrang Dal were extending them assistance and criticised the local MLAs and MPs for their role in the incident.

'' Neither did they condemn the violence nor initiate any steps to check the violence so far,''he regretted.

The former Union Minister said the Christian communities would gain the most from the communal violence as they would now be getting more foreign funds to repair and reconstruct their churches which had been lying uncared for long due to lack of funds.

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