'Kandhamal riots could have been prevented'

The communal violence in Odisha's Kandhamal district in 2008 that claimed 38 lives could have been avoided had the state government acted promptly, a Christian leader told a probe commission Saturday.

Kandhamal, 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 in Jalespata village Aug 23, 2008.

At least 38 people were killed and more than 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes in 2008 after their houses were attacked by mobs, who accused Christians for killing Saraswati, although police had blamed the Maoists for the ashram killings.

Disposing before the Justice A.S Naidu Commission which is probing into the violence, Odisha Minority Forum (OMF) president Swarupananda Patra said the government also did not take a step to put a stop to the rumors at that time.

"Although the government took care of the people who suffered, it could have prevented it from happening," Patra told IANS citing the points he raised before the commission.

The government did not provide adequate security protection sought by Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. - IANS