Election Commission demands detailed report on Kandhamal

Responding to the pleas of Kandhamal victims to postpone the polls, the Election Commission (EC) on March 27, demanded a detailed report from the authorities of riot-hit districts in Orissa.

"The Commission has sought detailed reports from Chief Secretary Ajit K Tripathy, Home Secretary AP Padhi and DGP MM Praharaj," a top Home Department official was quoted saying on Saturday.

The official communicated that the authorities were directed to inform on the protective measures taken by the state government to ensure free and fair polls in Kandhamal - which recently witnessed largescale violence on the Christian community.

The EC was responding to the petition filed by a delegation of victims under Kuidina Forum for Peace and Justice. They along with noted social activist Teesta Setalvad expressed the people's difficulty to cast their votes in the wake of threats and "hate speeches" made by Hindu hardliners in the volatile district.

"A large number of people are forced to live away from their homes as Hindu fundamentalists are threatening them. They are also making hate speeches against Christians to polarise the votes in the communally sensitive area," Ms. Setalvad told reporters.

They also questioned where the 20,000 victims of the 23,000 stated by the government in September 2008 have decamped? The present figures only show of 3000 victims in relief camps, they divulged.

The delegation had also expressed their concerns to the officials of National Human Rights Commission, the National Commission of Minorities and the office of the United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights.