Maoists, not Christians behind RSS activist death: Police

The Orissa police on Friday dismissed claims of Sangh Parivar linking Christians in the murder of a Hindu activist in Kandhamal, March 18.

After initiating the investigation on the murder of Pravat Panigrahi, Orissa state authorites warned saffron groups to refrain from targeting the Christians for the crime.

Referring to the August 23 violence on Christians that was sparked by the murder of VHP leader Laxmananda Saraswati, DGP Manmohan Praharaj said, "A number of senior Maoist leaders had earlier claimed responsibility of killing VHP leader Saraswati."

Stating that Naxals were not necessarily Christians, he said, "Ashutosh, Adzad and Sabyascachi Panda, the Maoists arrested for Saraswati's killing, are not Christians. So, it is not justified to come to a conclusion that Christians killed Saraswati."

The slain RSS leader was one of 14 local leaders who were named on a hit-list released by Maoists.

He was earlier arrested for his involvement in the attacks on Christians. He was murdered five days after being released on bail.

The BJP meanwhile demanded a CBI inquiry into the killing. "BJP demands CBI inquiry into the killing of Prabhat Panigrahi," party spokesperson Prakash Javadekar said.

Javadekar doubts "whether the killers are Naxalite or Christians under the guise of Naxalites." Pointing Christians, he said, "Panigrahi was eliminated as he knew the conspiracy to kill Saraswati."

Union home minister P Chidambaram has taken serious note over the "communal conflict" and the Naxals menace in Kandhamal district.

He asked the Orissa govt to remain alert to maintain peace and communal harmony.

After his visit to review the security in the state, the Minister said, the Centre would provide adequate security forces to protect the people as well as to ensure a free and fair election.