Orissa violence: Officials doubt Christians killed Hindu leader

In a report to media, state government officials in Orissa said, they believe Christians were not behind the killing of VHP leader Swami Laxmananda Saraswati that sparked a communal violence in the state.

Swami Laxmanananda and four other people were killed at his Jalespata ashram in Kandhamal on August 23 after more than 30 suspected Maoist guerrillas opened fire on them.

While pro–Hindu groups, the Bajrang Dal, VHP and BJP blamed Christians for killing the Hindu leader for his opposition against missionary activities and proselytization, Church leaders have fully denied the allegation, terming it "erroneous".

A private news channel in the country telecasted govt. sources saying, their assessment is that Christians had no role in the killing and the probe was leading to Maoist groups.

Inspector General of Police (Intelligence) Manmohan Praharaj told a national daily that evidence available to police was “consistent with the Maoist stamp in the kind of operation they undertake.”

“The assailants had left a note written on the letterhead of Vamsadhara Zonal Committee, signed by one Azad, and it is consistent with the Maoist methods,” he added.

The Central cabinet meanwhile has favored a high level CBI probe into the causes of violence that claimed several lives.

Union Minister for Science and Technology Kapil Sibal told media on Friday that central government favors a probe by Central Bureau of Investigation into the communal violence.

“We would have liked ideally that this matter be handed over to the CBI as there was a need to render justice immediately,” he said adding that judicial probes usually takes more time.

“We have been a tolerant society. This kind of senseless destruction by individuals belonging to a particular organization shall not be tolerated,” he added.

A top VHP leader yesterday at a press conference said more attacks will follow if Christian missionaries do not quit their church activities and stop their attack on the Hindu religion.

"We will continue this violence unless the Christians learn a lesson. Nothing will stop us," he said.

GCIC president Sajan George has called these allegations baseless. “These are just false allegations against the Christians. We too demand that those who killed swami should be punished severely. But do not link the wrong doings of some criminals to the entire community.”

Expressing anguish over the continued violence in Orissa, minority groups including the All India Muslim Majlis–e–Mushawarat, an umbrella body of Indian Muslim organisations demanded the ban of Bajrang Dal, who was also involved in the gruesome killing of Australian missionary Graham Staines and his children in 1999.

“In addition to burning and demolishing many houses, churches, orphanages and other Christian properties and even police stations, the Hindutva goons have already killed 20 Christians in an area which has seen saffron violence for years,” it said in a statement issued here.

“The AIMMM urged the central government to ban the Hindutva terrorist organisation Bajrang Dal which plays the central role in such violence."

The Muslim body said the state government should be removed as they had failed to protect the Christian community from attacks by people connected to the Bajrang Dal.

On Friday, all Christian educational institutions (over 40,300) were closed in the country and demonstrations were held to demand justice from the Govt. of Orissa.