NHRC to investigate Orissa violence

The National Human Rights Commission on Tuesday asked Orissa Chief Secretray Ajit Tripathy and DGP Gopal Chandra Nanda to submit reports of communal violence in Orissa State since August 23 following the killing of Swami Laxmananda Saraswati and four of his disciples at Jalespata Ashram in Kandhamal district.

The Commission's move comes on a petition submitted to it by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India, seeking protection from violence at the hands of the fundamentalists. The petition said that the attacks on Christians started with the murder of Swamiji.

The petition condemned the violence against Christians in Orissa state and sought protection from the fanatics. Some organizations had pointed out finger at the Christian community for the murder and thereafter the community was targeted, the petition added.

The petitioners said that the rioting, even in the presence of police was forcing the minorities to flee to forests and take refuge in relief camps. The petition highlighted that at least 50,000 people have been forced to flee to forests and take refuge in relief camps.

"The Commission will be sending an investigation team to the violence affected areas of the State to make an inquiry on the spot to ascertain the factual position," NHRC said in a Press statement. The Commission after going through the petition said that the allegations raised serious questions of violation of human rights.