The ongoing clash in Orissa between the Christians and Hindus has resulted in steel and mines minister Padmanabha Behera, who hails from this district, getting the sack.
The ongoing clash in Orissa between the Christians and Hindus has resulted in steel and mines minister Padmanabha Behera, who hails from this district, getting the sack. Now, the Kui tribals and Pana Christians are up in arms against each other. Behera is a Pana Christian.
The BJP, a coalition partner in Naveen Patnaik’s government, has reacted cautiously and its state unit president Suresh Pujari has appealed for peace. It has put the government on a sticky wicket as the Centre has asked the state government to submit a report on the issue.
In order to restore normalcy, chief minister Naveen Patnaik made a whirlwind visit to the district headquarters and held a review meeting there. After his visit, he ordered a judicial probe into the riot.
The state government has also suspended the officer in-charge of Tikabali and Phiringia police stations, while the inspector-in-charge of Sadar police station has been transferred. The government also transferred the district collector and the SP of Kandhamal district.
However, the opposition is trying to make the riots a political issue. A seven-party opposition delegation tried to go to Brahamanigaon on Saturday.
The delegation comprised leaders from Congress, the NCP, SP, RJD, JMM, CPI and CPM. However, the district administration did not allow the delegation to visit Kandhamal and stopped them at Charrichhak, about 60 km from Kandhamal. On Sunday, they met Governor MC Bhandare on this and sought his intervention.
The minority commission is planning to visit the area in the first week of January. Since this will become a major issue in the coming elections, the state government has mobilised all its resources to restore normalcy here. “I hope my resignation will bring peace in the area,” said Padmanabha Behera.
subhashish_m@yahoo.com
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