Thaindian News

Bhubaneswar, March 10 (IANS) The murder of Hindu religious leader, Swami Laxamananda Saraswati that triggered widespread communal violence in Orissa in 2008 could have been prevented had Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik paid attention to his security, a former minister said Thursday. Patnaik dismissed the “false” allegations.

Deposing for the second day before a one-man judicial commission which is probing the Kandhamal riots, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Manmohan Samal, who was revenue minister in the BJP-Biju Janata Dal coalition government, said there was no enhancement of security for Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Saraswati even when he received a threat letter - two days before he was killed.

Kandhamal, about 200 km from Bhubaneswar, witnessed widespread violence after the murder of Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23, 2008.

Samal said the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) became non-operational in the district since July 31 following the announcement of withdrawal of the paramilitary force from the state by union home ministry.

He said that he brought this matter to the notice of the chief minister but nothing was done to redeploy the forces in the district or there was any enhancement of security for Swami.

“I am certain that had the security been enhanced and CRPF operational, the Swami’s killing and subsequent violence would not have occurred” he said.

Samal is the first minister of the former coalition government to appear before the commission.

Deposing before the commission Wednesday, he said the communal violence in Kandhamal district could have been avoided had the chief minister paid attention to issues of tribal discontentment, due to illegal transfer of their lands to non-tribals.

Samal contended that although he tried to resolve the land problems, much more was required to be done at a higher level.

He claimed said he sought the chief minister’s intervention on several occasions.

“However, there was no discussion in respect of this discontentment in the state cabinet.”

Reacting on Samal’s statements, Patnaik told reporters: “What he (Samal) has said is not correct. This is a false allegation.”

Described by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh as a “national shame”, more than 25,000 Christians were displaced after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs that held them responsible for Saraswati’s killing, although police blamed Maoist guerrillas.

Sarat Chandra Mohapatra, a former judge of the Orissa high court, was appointed in October 2008 to probe the murders and the subsequent violence. At least a hundred people, including government officials, have already deposed before the commission.