Supreme Court seeks report on Kandhamal relief

The Supreme Court has ordered the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to submit a report on the status of relief and rehabilitation work in Kandhamal, Orissa.

Responding to a petition filed by the former archbishop of Cuttack-Bhubaneswar Raphael Cheenath, the apex court gave six months time to NHRC to present a status report on relief for those affected by the anti-Christian violence in 2008.

The court reportedly was dissatisfied by the Orissa government's handling of relief and rehabilitation.

The petition by Archbishop Cheenath had alleged "inadequate compensation" to the riot-affected and said shady methods was employed in selecting recipients and assessing the damage to private and public property.

Pointing to a survey conducted by a civil society organisation, Archbishop Cheenath said 246 families of victims were not included for relief and rehabilitation.

Two weeks back, the apex court during a hearing said the Orissa government had a lot to explain on the handling of relief.

According to the All India Christian Council, the violence which began in August caused an estimated 4,400 burnt houses, left 50,000 homeless, 59 dead, 18,000 men, women, and children injured, and 151 churches destroyed.

The Church has demanded special package for the victims in line with Gujarat and Delhi Sikh riot packages.

In addition, the Supreme Court's help was also sought in directing Orissa government to re-survey the relief and rehabilitation work.

Archbishop Cheenath informed the Supreme Court that still about 10,000 victims were living outside their villages and many even migrated to neighbouring states.