CPI (M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury has said that only a probe by an outside agency could bring out the truth about recent attacks on the Christians in Orissas Kandhamal District.
Bhubaneshwar, Jan 4 : CPI (M) Politburo member Sitaram Yechury has said that only a probe by an outside agency could bring out the truth about recent attacks on the Christians in Orissa's Kandhamal District.
"There should be an inquiry that is independent of your state administration because the idea is also to identify and pin point the lapses of the administration. We were told by the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik that one of the terms of reference of the judicatory is to identify the lapses of the officers if any," he said.
The State Government has set up a judicial commission, headed by Judge (retired) Basudev Panigrahi to probe the communal violence in Khandamal district.
Yechury also said that such violence should be nipped in the bud.
"After Graham Staines's murder in Orissa, there has been escalation of violence. Such violence begins on the Christmas eve, on the day after the Gujarat elections results, threatening proclamations by the communal forces that Orissa will be the next laboratory like the Gujarat. These are very ominous signs. We think this sort of development should be nipped in the bud," he said.
Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Wednesday reviewed the situation in the violence-hit areas of Kandhamal district.
Opposition leader J B Patnaik submitted a memorandum demanding protection of minorities in the state. They alleged that the State Government had failed from its duty of protecting the minorities.
Earlier, the Orissa Government had transferred a top police official from the riot-hit Kandhamal district. The district's Superintendent of Police N Bhol was removed from the post and given assignment at the Home Department.
Many people have gone missing since the violence broke out on December 24.
At least three people were killed in the violence that was sparked off on December 24 when Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists led mobs burnt down churches.
ANI