August 27, 2013: Victims of the 2008 anti-Christian violence in eastern India have
demanded an investigation by the country’s top anti-terror agency into the riots that
killed scores of people and displaced thousands. The Christians made the demand on
Sunday as they observed the fifth anniversary of the riots in Orissa’s Kandhamal district.
In
a seven-week rampage beginning on August 25, groups of fanatic Hindus burned Christian
homes, churches and convents, killing some 100 people and displacing at least 50,000.
To
mark the anniversary, at least 300 people, including members of civil society groups
and church leaders, staged a rally in Bhubaneswar, the state capital, on Sunday and
submitted a list of demands for the president of India, Pranab Mukherjee, and state
governor SC Jamir.
One of the demands was an in-depth investigation by the
National Investigating Agency (NIA). Father Ajay Singh, who is fighting for justice
for the Kandhamal victims, told ucanews.com that there has been no action from the
state government in the last five years to provide justice for victims. He added that
many believe the violence was part of an organized terror campaign.
Other demands
from the victims include a special rehabilitation program, restoration of their livelihoods
and better security. They also asked for the repeal of a state law that they say limits
religious freedom for Christians. Jugal Ranjit, convener of an Orissa minority forum,
accused the state government of being non-committal on the issues stemming from the
violence.
“There are several government officials who have communal mindsets
and put up barriers that hinder the delivery of justice to victims,” he said.