Thaindian News

Bhubaneswar, June 26 (IANS) Home Minister P. Chidambram Friday blamed the Orissa government and police for failing to deal with the situation in the Kandhamal region when communal violence erupted there August 2008.
“The police machinery failed to contain violence for first 30 to 40 days. What happened on August 23 and subsequently was condemnable,” he said, adding communal violence had no place in society and one section should not be allowed to instigate violence against another.

Speaking after a meeting with Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Chidambaram said the situation in the riot-hit areas was turning to normal and he had advised those sheltering in relief camps to go home and resume their normal life.

“The situation is returning to normal but we can’t lower our guard in those areas,” he said, adding it was the duty of both the state and the centre to remove the sense of fear from among those people.

“There are allegations that sub-standard rice is being provided in the relief camps, some named accused are roaming around, inadequate compensation is being provided and inadequate student stipend is being given,” he added.

The home minister earlier visited camps where those had fled their homes were sheltering, and assured them of the full protection of the government if they returned home.

The region, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23 last year. Many Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs, who held Christians responsible for Saraswati’s killing. At least 38 people were killed in the riots.

Although no violence has been reported from the region since October last year, nearly 2,000 riot-hit people are still taking shelter in government-run relief camps.

Chidambaram, who is on a two-day visit to the state, visited the anti-insurgency training centre and the district armoury in Koraput, 500 km from state capital Bhubaneswar, Thursday and held discussions with senior state police officers.