Kandhmal violence a game plan of fundamentalist forces-Vara Vara R

Bhubaneswar, Oct 17 (UNI) A study team of Andhra Pradesh Writers Association, led by Vara Vara Rao, today alleged that the unabated violence in Kandhmal was a game plan of the fundamentalist forces and not the outcome of an ethnic conflict as claimed by the Orissa government.

It was a clear case of fascist attack by Sangh Parivar and supported by the local traders, Mr Vara Vara Rao, who toured the strife-torn district for an on the spot study of the prevailing situation, told newspersons here.

He alleged that both tribal and scheduled caste Christians were targetted in the violence, adding that it was more shocking that the local administration and police were behaving on communal lines compounding the miseries of the victims taking shelter in the relief camps.

Mr Rao said during the visit of the team to the riot-affected areas, several people had pointed finger at the Bajrang Dal and VHP activists, holding them responsible for the carnage which he said was linked to the violence that rocked the district in December 2007.

He alleged that though the government had claimed that hundreds of rioters were arrested, the real culprits and the conspirators of the violence were still at large and yet to be booked.

Asked about the situation in Kandhmal, Mr Rao said the victims takign shelter in several relief camps were very scared to return to their homes and wanted the central paramilitary forces to be deployed there.

On the other hand, the tribals were up in arms against the indiscriminate arrest in the wake of the unabated violence and demanded the withdrawal of the forces.

He appealed to both SC and ST to fight against the forces, which were trying to divide them on communal lines and demanded that the conspirators of the violence be nabbed and punished.

This apart there should be a probe on the activities of the Bajarang Dal, VHP and the RSS in Kandhmal, he said and demanded that forceful conversion and reconversion should be stopped in the district forthwith.

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