Probe demand over charges in murder of Orissa’s Hindu leader

(May 13, 2011) Christians in eastern India’s Orissa state are demanding an inquiry into how seven dalit and tribal people were falsely charged with the murder of Hindu leader Laxmananada Saraswati, which led to months of violence in which more than 100 people died and hundreds of homes destroyed in 2008. In January, 2009 the Dalit and tribal Christians were charged with the murder the Hindu leader. But this week, police charged seven top hardcore Maoists with killing Saraswati and four others at Jaleshpata Ashram in the Kandhamal district on the night of August 23, 2008. Crime Branch Inspector General Abhaya said the Maoists are in our custody and have confirmed their involvement. Sister Justine Senapati of Sisters of St. Joseph’s Annecy, in Bhubaneswar said, “Innocent Christians were branded and paraded as killers by the police.” She demanded that the state extend apology to those falsely accused and release them immediately, and come up with a comprehensive plan for the compensation and restoration of justice. Others called for a White paper probe, suggesting the authorities were hand in glove with Hindu extremists. Paul Pradhan, a Christian leader, whose family was forced to become Hindus for a month, said the hate campaign against Christians by the Hindu fundamentalist organisations known as the Sangh Parivar still continues.