Commission begins hearing on Orissa 2007 Christmas violence

Probe on the 2007 Christmas violence in Orissa by Justice Basudev Panigrahi Commission commenced on Wednesday.

The commission was meanwhile dejected as no witness turned up to testify on the horrendous attacks on Christians.

Justice Panigrahi, a retired judge of Orissa High Court, according to sources, waited till evening to record the statements of the seven witnesses who were provided with tight security and free conveyance facilities.

Due to their unavailability, the commission scheduled to record statements of victims at G Udaygiri on February 27 and 28. Notices have been issued to 28 persons to depose before the commission

The victims, according to sources, due to distance factor had failed to appear for the hearing at Phulbani.

The violence last year on Christmas Eve was instigated by VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati who accused Christians of 'forceful conversions'.

The Chief Minister of Orissa confirmed that 800 families were affected in the violence and over 1,453 people booked in 127 cases.

Again in August 2008, the Kandhamal district was in flames after Maoist militants murdered Saraswati. It forced 50,000 people to flee their homes and take shelter in relief camps.