NCM visits Kandhamal, says situation 'very peaceful'

Rejecting allegations that the people in Kandhamal were still living in fear two years after the violence, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) Thursday averred that the situation in the communally-sensitive district was "very peaceful".

The vice chairman of NCM, Dr. HT Sangliana, this week visited the Kandhamal district to review the condition of the riot victims after it received complaints that a large number of Christians were still to return to their villages as they continue to be intimidated and denied protection.

Following his visit, Sangliana told reporters that the allegations of fear and panic were contrary to facts and many had acquired jobs and settled in neighbouring cities.

However, he did not deny that many still continue to live in "temporary shelter camps as their houses are not built for lack of money."

Sangliana said he would recommend to the Centre and State government to increase the amount of compensation to help the people rebuild their homes.

On Wednesday, the Minority Commission vice chairman met the Chief Minister of Orissa Naveen Patnaik, Director General of Police Manmohan Praharaj and local district officials, to discuss the steps taken to redress the grievances of the minorities.

He also visited the rehabilitation centres and stressed on the need to provide education and job opportunities for the victims.

According to Sangliana, as many as 3,500 cases were filed and 916 were arrested in connection with the riot. About 121 cases were still under investigation and 185 accused were convicted in 42 cases.

The acquittal of over 800 persons, he informed were mainly due to the intimidation of the witnesses.

Recently, the National People's Tribunal (NPT) on Kandhamal observed that most of the victims continue to be intimidated and systematically denied protection and access to justice.

The tribunal recorded testimony of 43 victims, survivors and their representatives and heard fact-finding reports prepared by various voluntary organisations and experts.

A 12-member jury of the public tribunal, headed by former Chief Justice of Delhi High Court AP Shah, recommended setting up of a special investigation team to re-examine the registered FIRs.

"What happened in Kandhamal was a national shame, a complete defacement of humanity. Most of victims are Dalits and tribals. Survivors continue to be intimidated and systematically denied protection and access to justice. They cannot return to their villages unless they re-convert," Justice Shah said at a press conference in New Delhi.

The tribunal said victims underwent "incredible hardships, including physical and psychological trauma, threats and humiliation and deprivation of a dignity."

"They have faced persecution in all its forms – such as social and economic boycott as well as religious, caste-based and cultural discrimination. They live under a constant threat to their lives and personal security and continue to suffer from trauma."

The tribunal, organised by the National Solidarity Forum, further observed that communal forces used religious conversions as an issue for political mobilisation and to incite horrific forms of violence and discrimination against the Christians of SC origin and their supporters in Kandhamal.

The tribunal criticised the state agencies for blatantly failing to "extend much-needed institutional support to victims and to protect them from ostracism, socio-economic boycott and subjugation by non-state actors."