By IANS
New Delhi : The National Commission for Minorities (NCM) has indicted the local administration and the police of the riot-hit Khandamal district of Orissa for the communal violence on the eve of Christmas last year. It also hinted that Hindu organisations could have been involved in the violence.
The out-break of violence was a result of the long simmering conflict between Pana (Christian tribals) and Kui tribals, NCM member Dileep Padgaonkar said here Thursday.
Panas have been demanding reservation under the Scheduled Tribes category, which has been opposed by the Kuis.
Another important factor, according to the commission, was the anti-conversion campaign conducted by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) and Sangh Parivar for the last few years.
The NCM members maintained that they found no case of forcible conversion or conversion through inducements.
The Kuis were also agitated as some Scheduled Castes Christians had allegedly obtained false caste certificates to benefit from reservations, the NCM said.
A two-member committee of NCM, comprising Padgaonkar and Zoya Hasan, visited the riot-affected districts of Orissa Jan 6-8.
When asked whether the riots were well planned, Padgaonkar said, “There was enough evidence to suggest that the outbreak of violence in Khandamal was organised.”
“An anti-Christian atmosphere was created and there was large-scale destruction of Christian property.” He added that the local administration did not take appropriate and quick measures to control the mob.
Padgaonkar stated that 2,000 tress had been cut in a matter of two hours to block the roads leading to the riot-affected areas. “This was done to delay the patrol parties from reaching the riot-affected areas. It shows that the riots were organized,” he said.
The commission appeared divided on whether the Navin Patnaik government was lax in controlling the violence and also on the issue of Sangh Parivar involvement in the violence.
Hasan said, “From what we gathered, the VHP was in the background of the riots. But it is difficult to pinpoint that the men involved in the violence were from VHP.”
Padgaonkar said that Orissa Chief Minister Navin Patnaik appeared concerned about the riots. “He has promised to look into the issues that we discussed with him,” he said.
“The local administration should not have allowed two bandhs (strikes) on the same day, knowing fully well that a big Christian festival was so close,” said another member of the commission.
The NCM has asked the Orissa government to increase the compensation amount paid to the victims, as the money given was meagre.
“It should at least match the amount paid by other states in similar cases,” Padgaonkar said. The speech given by Swami Lakshmananda – who allegedly tried to incite the locals– should be examined to find out if he tried to whip communal passions, he added.
Three people were killed – among them one Hindu and a Christian, while the identity of the third is yet to be established – in the communal flare-up Dec 25, 2007 in Khandamal district. Many Christian institutions – Churches, shops and schools -were destroyed in the riots.