Floods affect victims of Orissa violence

Thousands of people including Christians who fled to forests and relief camps following the recent communal clash in Orissa have been affected by heavy downpour since Wednesday.

Nine persons lost their lives as the Mahanadi river, triggered a massive flood situation in the state.

"We are apprehending a major flood in the Mahanadi system as a huge volume of water is heading downstream," Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy told reporters here.

The district administration has ordered people staying in vulnerable areas to move to safer places. Power boats are being pressed into service to evacuate thousands of people. The Orissa Disaster Rapid Action Force, fire brigade and the entire district administration are also being engaged in the process.

Global Council of Indian Christians, a major advocacy group in the country, appealed for prayers and help for the victims of the violence by Hindu fanatics following the death of VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati. At least 50,000 people fled to forests and took shelter in relief camps.

"Orissa govt is badly needed of tents for their relief camps. It is not able to purchase tents immediately and so it has requested several state govts to interfere as the situation in Orissa, due to rain is very appalling. The affected people are in dire need of shelter," GCIC said.

The National Minority Front meanwhile at a press conference said Orissa government should chalk out a plan and package that would compensate for loss livelihood besides compensating for loss of land, houses and lives. They demanded a package similar to that announced for victims of anti–Sikh riots.