Kandhamal victims to receive free legal services

A collective of lawyers and social activists under the Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) has stipulated to render free legal services to the riot-affected people of Kandhamal.

The non-governmental organisation, in an agreement with the All India Christian Council (aicc), acknowledged to provide free legal intervention for victims of anti-Christian violence and to usher long-term solutions for inter-faith harmony in Gajapati district in India's eastern state of Orissa.

While Kandhamal was the epicenter for riots from August to December last year, aicc says, Gajapati district recorded the largest number of crimes. At least 337 families lost homes or businesses.

According to a survey by the Gajapati United Christian Forum, 320 houses were damaged and 20 churches, 19 businesses destroyed. HRLN estimates that 700 families were affected and 2-3 years of legal intervention is needed.

"HRLN lawyers and social workers have assisted victims in Gajapati district since the unprecedented anti-Christian riots in 2008. We're privileged to strengthen and enhance their ongoing efforts by providing needed resources and using our network of Christian leaders in the area," said Dr. Sam Paul, aicc National Secretary of Public Affairs.

He noted that most victims are from Scheduled Castes (Dalits) or Scheduled Tribes and are extremely poor.

The agreement between aicc and HRLN provides needed equipment and covers fees for legal experts, including lawyers, social workers, and other personnel. The team will offer free legal services including filing of police cases, legal training for lawyers, awareness workshops, publications, and civil society campaigns.

They hope their efforts will result in more than just favorable court verdicts. "This partnership is unique because our goal is legal intervention that will result in more than just convictions for the perpetrators of crimes," said Paul.

He explained that together they will "help victims replace lost identity documents like ration cards and voter's ID cards, apply for government assistance including employment through the Nation Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme, and much more."

"Our efforts will result in income, independence, and, eventually, improved lives for people in these communities," he affirmed.

According to the aicc, the violence in the aftermath of the murder of Swami Laxmananda has damaged 315 villages and destroyed 4,640 Christian houses. In addition, 70 people were killed; 18,000 Christians were injured and 54,000 were rendered homeless.

In that barbarous violence, which lasted until mid-October, an estimated 300 churches were destroyed and 13 Christian schools and colleges damaged.