NHRC apprised of Kandhamal victims' grievances

A Christian advocacy group has written to the chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Justice KG Balakrishnan, enumerating the still continuing problems of Christians in Kandhamal and demanding a door-to-door survey in order to ascertain the details of victims and the extent of damage and destruction they were subjected to.

The Global Council of Indian Christians (GCIC) approached the NHRC last week after a rally was held at Nandagiri to mark the third anniversary of martyrdom of Christians in Kandhamal, who underwent persecution on an unprecedented scale in 2008.

Appealing to the NHRC to consider the "helpless cries of hundreds of victims of hatred and government apathy", the Bangalore-based group called attention to the mysterious deaths and murders; failure in arresting the murderers; inadequate compensation to victims; and constant threats and assaults against victims.

"In our interactions with the victims on September 28 at Nandagiri, we took note of the pathetic condition most of them live in, even after three years of martyrdom of over 100 Christians," said Sajan George, president of GCIC.

"Kandhamal has become a test case for criminal justice, not just of the ability of the government to dismantle radical criminal gangs, but also of its ability to uphold citizens' rights."

Pointing to some of the recent cases, George cited the mysterious deaths of pastors Minoketan Nayak and Saul Pradhan this year. He also spoke of the inadequate compensation granted to the riot affected, and the "irrational" methodology employed in selecting the recipients and assessing the damage to private and public properties.

To the NHRC, George has made some specific demands that include a door-to-door survey of victims; trauma counselling for young children and widows who are still being haunted by the painful memories of the 2008 violence; assistance to over 2000 children who were forced to discontinue their studies; free/subsidized rationing for the victims; and implementation of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme for regular and steady wages

An appeal was also made for BPL cards to be distributed among the victims.

"Presently BPL cards of many of the affected have been withdrawn. When the demented crowds attacked Christians and destroyed their houses along with their belongings, most of the victims found shelter in the distant jungles and saved themselves from death. They ran away to those forests practically leaving everything behind since it was a matter of life and death for them," recalled George.

"Most of them lost all identification cards for widow pension, old age pension and even the very voter identity cards. When they came back after prolonged periods of time, quite a number among them also lost the place where the house was situated along with all their documents. Special arrangements must be made to issue all such cards to those victims who are eligible," he added.

Speaking of the judicial system, George said justice continues to elude poor victims. He appealed to the Supreme Court to formulate a new system of judicial measures specifically meant for the victims of Kandhamal. At least 1600 accused have been acquitted till date.

Christian organisations monitoring the judicial process have expressed disappointment at more acquittals than convictions in most of the cases relating to the violence. Over 800 FIRs were filed during the peak of the violence.