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| India-Pakistan |
| Orissa archbishop wants CBI probe |
| 2008-10-11 |
| Even after nearly seven weeks of violence, communal attacks continue against Christians in Orissa. And Raphael Cheenath, archbishop of Orissa, primarily blames the state government for its inability to stop the orgy of killings, loot and arson. "There is an understanding between the state government and the Sangh parivar in not taking any serious action (against the rioters). During the violence, the local police was absolutely inactive. They will not be able to show one case where they have defended the Christians or protected their property," alleged Cheenath. Orissa is ruled by a BJD-BJP coalition. Chief minister Naveen Patnaik belongs to BJD. At least 36 people have been killed, scores of churches burned and thousands pushed to relief camps in the eastern state. The violence began after the August 23 killing of VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. Several hundred rioters have been arrested over the past week. But according to Cheenath, the real question is: who have been arrested? "If they have arrested ordinary villagers, then what's the use? The miscreants who are instigating people to commit crime should be arrested first. The real culprits are scot-free. They can go anywhere. Which is why the riots are not stopping," he said. The archbishop, who spoke to TOI at Gandhi Smriti on Friday, wants a CBI inquiry into the killings. "We have also filed a petition in Supreme Court. We want immediate stopping of violence and security of Christians. We are expecting a Supreme Court hearing next week," he said. Responding to the Hindu rightwing allegation that the church had a hand in the killing of the VHP leader, he said, "That is why we are asking for a CBI probe. Let the truth be out. Whoever are involved, let them be punished." A senior Naxalite leader has admitted to Maoist hand in Saraswati's killing. The archbishop said that the ground situation improved after the deployment of CRPF and the Rapid Action Force. "But the presence of paramilitary forces is restricted to the main roads and to protecting the institutions around them. Most of the crimes are being committed in the villages. Since the CRPF did not know the geography of the area, the local police should have helped them. But they didn't," he alleged. The archbishiop also alleged that the Sangh parivar is using the plank of forced conversion to stir up trouble. He said, "According to Freedom of Religion Act, any forced conversion is illegal. We agree. But the same Act also says that one can convert by free choice. The Minorities Commission requested the state government for cases of forced conversion. But they couldn't provide them any. The Sangh parivar is just following the maxim: First give the dog a bad name, then kill it." |
| Posted by:Fred |