Kandhamal peace at risk as Maoists target Sangh Parivar leader

Maoists targeting Sangh Parivar leaders might possibly jeopardize the furthering of peace and harmony in the communally sensitive Kandhamal.

According to media, Narayan Mohanty, a Bajrang Dal activist, was targeted by the Maoists who allegedly fired at his vehicle in Sisapanga-Gumandi road.

Although, 15 rounds were fired at the vehicle Narayan was traveling, no bullets hit him. He managed to narrowly escape death and later filed a police compliant at the Raikia police station.

Mohanty was in the hit list of Maoists who vowed to kill top Sangh Parivar leaders including BJP MLA of G.Udaygiri, Manoj Pradhan, who is currently lodged in jail for his involvement in last year's violence on Christians.

There were total 14 names that appeared in threat posters that were seen in different parts of Kandhamal.

The latest attempt by the Maoists will surely be a matter of concern for Christians especially after the Centre decided to withdraw five of the ten CRPF companies, last week.

In a similar incident, on March 18, this year, suspected Maoists gunned down Prabhat Panigrahi, a local leader of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

Following the assassination, Hindu extremists linked Christians in the murder which was refuted by the Archbishop of Orissa Raphael Cheenath and other Christian leaders in the state.

Police investigation also dismissed claims of Sangh Parivar linking Christians in the murder.

The state authorities even warned saffron groups to "refrain from targeting Christians for the crime allegedly committed by the Maoists."

DGP Manmohan Praharaj, later referring to the August 23 violence on Christians that was sparked by the murder of VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati, said, Christians have no role in this or other crimes which "Maoist leaders have repeatedly claimed responsibility."