Mumbai, Jun 26: Different communities living in this country should join hands together to counter state terrorism, so that each and every individual is able to lead a dignified life.

Muslims all over are now being targeted in fake encounter killings in the name of terrorism while earlier other downtrodden masses were shot down in the guise of them being Naxalites. These were some the viewpoints expressed in a near unanimous voice by different speakers at the National Seminar on fake ‘Encounter Killings’ organized by the National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (NCHRO) here today, in association with Amnesty International India.

Concerted efforts needs to be made by one and all to see that the unholy nexus between the politicians in power, the police and the media is exposed irrespective of the fact whether one is affected or not, directly or indirectly. The media too has played a major role in creating an image of all Naxalites as anti-nationals and all Muslims as terrorists.

The speakers stressed the need to develop a database of encounter killings in order to follow the cases to its final logical conclusion of bringing the culprits to book under the law of the land. This would give some degree of solace to the kith and kin of those killed in such encounter killings.

The Seminar was attended in large numbers by the delegates and relatives of the victims of encounter killings. The session was presided over by E.M.Abdurahman, General Secretary Popular Front of India, Adv. K.P.Mohamad Shareef, General Convener delivered the welcome address. Dr. John Dayal(President, All India catholic union) inaugurated the seminar. Justice Hosbet Suresh(Mumbai) concluded the seminar. Prof. Nagari Babiah, Ms Gouri Lankesh (Both from Bangalore),Dr. Shamsul Islam (New Delhi), Adv Yousuf Hatim Muchala(Mumbai), Adv. Suresh Kumar, Latheef Mohamed Khan(Both from Andhra Pradesh), Parvez Bari (Bhopal), Pattabhirama Somayaji,B.V Sitaram(Both from Mangalore),, Arshi Khan (Aligarh), Taeedul Islam (West Bengal),G. Subramaniam, Adv. Sunder Raj(Both from Tamil Nadu), T. Sukumaran (Pondichery), Dr Abraham Mathai ,M.A. Khalid (Both from Mumbai) were the other attendees.

Earlier in the day during the interactive session of the human right activists, Justice Hosbet Suresh said that these types of extra judicial killings will put an end to law abiding society.
Justice Suresh during his address before the human rights activists held at Mumbai observed that criminalization and extra judicial powers given to the police force is the main reason for the fake encounter killings. According to him under the existing system, police can book anyone and kill them at any time, in fake encounter in the guise of extremism and terrorism. This is he stated is a violation of person’s rights and right to live. The program was part of a “National Seminar on Encounter Killings” organized by the National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (NCHRO) in association with Amnesty International India on 26 June 2007 and Anti-Torture Day held at the Maratha Patrakar Sangh Hall, Mumbai.

Relatives of encounter victims Gopinatha Pillai (father of Pranesh Kumar alias Javed who was killed in Ahmedabad), Sajida (wife of Pranesh Kumar alias Javed), Muthu Lakshmi (widow of Veerappan killed by STF), Philomina (mother of Sudheer killed by the Mangalore police) Noori (widow of Abdul Raoof who killed by Bangalore police) all shared their personal experiences.

National core committee of NCHRO was formed after the seminar.

Syed Shahabuddin(Ex MP& Editor Muslim India) who initiated the discussion said there should be proper use of coercive powers of the state to fight out discrimination against religious minorities". Discrimination is all pervasive and in all walks of life including judiciary. Certain virus is permeating through our veins,whether consciously or unconsciously which should be contained forthwith through proper continuous social education not only at the primary level but at the later stage also along with proper governance and mass media. Elaborating the role of mass media he said it must focus on the discriminatory acts and create a revulsion against them. He lamented that in India secularism has not been understood in right perspective.

Prof. S. A. R. Geelani, who was falsely implicated in a terror plot alleged that judiciary has been used in a different manner to further the fascism agenda. He charged that fascists have occupied important positions in society which is very harmful for democracy. There is impunity provided to law enforcing agencies. He pointed out that when POTA was repealed the UAPA(Unlawful Activities Prevention Act) was amended and the provisions of POTA were added to this So that POTA is still intact in a new form.

Prof. Geelani was of the opinion that all minorities should come together on one platform and fight for their rights as guaranteed in the Indian Constitution and not beg for it. Muslim youths are being targetted by law enforcing agencies but Muslim leadership has not come forward to help them.

Dr. John Dayal(President All India Catholic Union,Member national integration council,vice president NCHRO) threatened that if the government does not appoint a committee for Christians on the lines of Sachar Committee appointed to study the reasons of Muslims backwardness in India he would set up a "John Dayal Committee" for his co-religionists. There should be holistic development of all, he remarked.

Dr Shamsul Islam(vice president NCHRO) said that the communal violence in Gujarat started in 1996 and not in 2002 when Christians were not allowed to celebrate Christmas as the community members were hounded and killed with their

homes burnt down. Unless and until the religious minorities unite discrimination against all minorities would continue and fight against the RSS fascism would be meaningless. Justice Hosbet Suresh(president NCHRO) winding up the discussion said that human rights commissions appointed by the governments are farce as committed people do not come forward to take up such assignments. He expressed his displeasure over the Babri Masjid case hanging in the courts for more than five decades. "If I were the judge then the case would not have continued for a day or two”. How can you say that a building (Babri Masjid) was built on the remnants of another building (ram temple)in Ayodhya", he remarked.

Other participants were Adv K.P Mohamad shareef(General secretary NCHRO), Dr Shakeel Samadani,Dr Muheebul haque(Both from aligarh),E.Abubacker(Chairman,

Popular Front Of India), Prof. N. Babaiah (Karnataka), E.M. Abdul rahman (General Secretary Popular Front Of India), Ms Ambareen agha (Jawaharlal Nehru University),

Nasarudheen elamaram(Kerala),G.Subramaniam(Chennai),T.Sukumaran(Pondichery)

Latheef Mohammed khan(Hyderabad), M.A Khalid(Mumbai)

Dr. V. M. Abdul Salam(secretary NCHRO) proposed the vote of thanks.

CD of the National seminar on "Encounter Killings" conducted by NCHRO inMumbai on June 26, 2008 and the first issue of NCHRO NEWS was released by justice suresh and Dr John dayal respectively by handing them over to Syed Shahabudin at the end of the panel discussion.

Participantants of the seminar were of the opinion that illegal detention and torture that have taken place recently which are clear cases of violation of human rights and blatant mockery of the judicial system in the country.. The seminar enlightened the general public on the seriousness of the issue and stressed on the importance of practical methodologies to encounter this trend.

Organisers said it was the beginning of a wider campaign to be undertaken by NCHRO in Karnataka.

The seminar was jointly organised by NCHRO and Popular Front Of India

Participants of the seminar include: Dr. John Dayal ( president All India Catholic Union,Vice president NCHRO), Mr. Hassan mansoor ( President ,PUCL Karnataka state), Mr. Ramadevana( State Secretary, Janapara Vedike),Ms.Gowri Lankesh(Editor,Lankesh Patrike), Mr. K M Shareef (Vice Chairman, Popular Front of India).

The meeting raised apprehension on the decision of the Uttar pradesh ,Hubli (Karnataka) Dhar (Madhya pradesh) bar Associations not to appear for cases of those muslim youths arrested by the police on charges of involving in terrorist activities. This unjust unprofessional, illegal decision of the advocates negates rudimentary canons of equity and natural justice. Article 21 of the constitution and section 303 of the criminal procedure code are categorical on providing service of an advocate of choice. As the Allahabad High court viewed and expressed its displeasure over the decision of UP Bar association the apex court and high courts of the country shall come forward to condemn the decision of the bar associations who passed this adamant and illogical decision.

The meeting appreciated the endeavour of muslim lawyers of UP to constitute state and district level legal defence committee to render legal assistance to Muslim youths who has been unjustly arrested as ‘terrorists’ by the police.

This meeting also welcome and appreciate the decision taken by the Karnataka state bar council to the effect that the resolution of the Hubli bar Association directing it’s members not to appear for the muslim youths allegedly accused by Hubli police of involving in terrorist actities as invalid and void.

This meeting appealed to the bar council of India to come forward Suo motto to initiate stringent disciplinary action against the Bar Associations of Hubli,UP,Dhar

This meeting strongly appealed to the electronic and print media to be more realistic, fair and cautious while reporting the cases of “terrorism” and not to be influenced by the communal elements.

1.The grant of 27% reservation for OBCs in the Central Govt. jobs and in educational Institutions like IIT, IIM, AIMS by the Supreme Court is a milestone in the fight for social justice. However NCHRO called upon the central Govt. to abolish the concept of creamy layer and to implement the granted reservation immediately in the coming academic year.

2.In the wake of continuing fake encounters inTamilnadu NCHRO demanded the Govt. to implement national human rights commission’s recommendation that FIR should be registered under sec-302 in all encounter cases against the police officer involved.The case should be properly investigatedand, adequate compensation should given to the family members of the fake encounter vicitims.

3. NCHRO called upon the TN Govt to dismiss ex Coimbatore Intelligence AC Rathinasabapathy and fellow Policemen from service who fabricated a bomb case in 2006 with the help of forged documents there by creating panic in the public and disturbing peace and communal harmony by raising unwanted suspicion towards muslim community.Adequate compensation should be given to the victims of this fake case from the provident fund of the involved policemen.

4. Article 14 of the Indian Constitution ensures equality before law for all the citizens. Hence NCHRO tamilnadu chapter asked the Tamil nadu Govt not to differentiate between the convicts based on community when a pardon is given for convicts who served more than 10 years in prison.

National confederation of human rights organizations (NCHRO) kerala chapter formerly known CHRO keralam observed the international day for victims of torture with book release and seminar. The function was held at press club hall Thiruvanathapuram.

A hand book on human rights was released by B.R.P Bhaskar (vigil India movement) by giving the book to Ms Saleena prakanam, (State secretary, Sadhujana vimochana munnani).
The hand book is supposed to be useful for the common man to understand the possibilities of human rights in india and will help them to participate actively to prevent torture.

The Malayalam version of ‘operation kalank’ (exclusive tehelka report on Gujarat carnageage in 2008, based on the sting operation conducted by Ashish Khetan) was also released in the function. Mr Jathavedan Nambpoothiri, ex.DGP,

Gujrath released the book and J. Devika received it. K.M. salim kumar and Adv shanavas spoke on the occasion.

Seminar on istambul protocol

The participants of the seminar called upon the state and National Governments to initiate the steps to ratify instambul protocol for the detailed medical examination of the victims of torture. Dr NA. Kareem, Mr Jathavedan Nampoothiri,KM.Saleemkumar,T.Peter,KH.Nasar,Adv.Shanavas,G.Subrhamaniyam, and Ashraf Kadakal participated in the seminar Prof. P.Koya was the moderator.

Declaration of NCHRO Kerala chapter
CHRO KERALAM was declared as NCHRO KERALA CHAPTER by G. Subramaniam, national secretary ,NCHRO in the morning session.

Resolution:

NCHRO kerala chapter called upon the government of india and state governments to ratify the Istambul protocol for preparing the detailed medical report of the victims of torture as suggested in the convention against toture by united nations.

NCHRO Kerala chapter demand the immediate and unconditional release of Dr Binayak sen (National vice President and Chathisgarh state presidentof PUCL) who is in the custody of chathisgarh police from may 2007 onwards;on charges of helping the mavoists. Seminar also demanded the release of AjayT.G and AK.Sengupta who are also held in custody along with Binayak sen.

NCHRO Kerala chapter demanded the government of India and state governments to withdraw all draconian laws including unlawful activities prevention act as they are being used by the police for the illegal custody of civil & human rights activists.

NCHRO Kerala chapter demanded the government of kerala to take adequate steps to relax the conditions of bail for the marad prisoners who are not able to come out of jail because of the strict conditions of bail when they were given bail after being behind the bars for 5 years.

NCHRO Kerala chapter demanded the government of India and state governments to stop harassing and opressing popular agitation, leaders of agitations and civil and human rights activists branding them as mavoists and terrorists

The NCHRO-Karntaka chapter co-ordianted the International Anti-Torture Day here in Bangalore with a Seminar attended by more than 100 delegates .This was in tandem with the different conferences and seminars conducted worldwide to bring to light the plight of the victims of tortures throughout the globe.

The General Secretary of the NCHRO, Advocate K P Mohamad Shareef who presided over the seminar expressed dismay over the functioning of the media and the lack of activism on its part. “What has happened to the media? An unholy nexus seems to exist between the intelligence groups, police officers and the media.”

"Torture seems to be a highly prevalent universal feature and the sects of people commonly targeted are dalits,tribals,backward classes, minorities,women and children. It is an inhuman, degrading and cruel menace which seems to be increasing day by day and nobody seems to be raising a finger against it,” said Advocate Mohamad Shareef. He cited various cases across India in particular in Maharashtra where a group of youth were taken into custody not even knowing the reason for their incarceration and then tortured."Article 21 of the Indian constitution elaborates on individual rights and it is necessary that each and every person be aware of his rights as a citizen of this country. This along with the effective endeavor of activists could go a long way in combating this issue", he added. "It is sad but there is no particular methodology to measure mental torture", he continued.

In his Keynote address, well-known activist and National Executive member of the NCHRO, Pattabhirama Somyaji, highlighted the danger posed by the SEZs (Special Economic Zones) to the existence of the small scale business.He spoke on the involvement of police machinery in the recent Mangalore riots. He underlined the importance of voicing against the atrocities committed by the State citing the example from the Gujarat riots.He lashed out at the media in coastal Karnataka. “The media out there is highly communal in nature and vitiates the prevailing atmosphere.” The terms used to describe the minority community by the vernacular press were highly “derogatory and provocative,” he added .

Mathew Philip of South India Cell for Human Rights Education and Monitoring(SICHREM) called for enacting a new Police Act and to renew all acts that gave immunity to those indulging in acts of torture. Four custodial deaths take place every day in prisons and police stations across the country.Altogether 7,468 custodial deaths have taken place in the country from 2002 to August 2007, he said furnishing statistics from National Human Rights Commission Mandya, Mysore, Kodagu, Kolar, Haveri and Chamarajnagar have recorded 648 cases of police torture during this period.

Advocate Abdul Hameed Savanoor,(President NCHRO Karnataka chapter) pointed out that the victims undergo an equally gruelling mental torture. This point further strengthened the need to ratify Istambul Protocol. The Istambul Protocol addresses the mental torture as well as physical torture incurred on the victim.

The biased attitude of the media when projecting cases involving minorities was highligted by speakers.

Other participants included Prof. N. Babiah( Vice President NCHRO), Usman Baig (National Executive Member Popular Front of India), Dr. Awad Shareef (President Karnataka Forum for Dignity).
Saifullah Khan from Ramanagara, a vitctim of police torture, displayed his punctured body to the audience virtually moving them to tears. RamaKrishna Iyer and Salah also narrated their bitter experiences.

The guests were welcomed by Mohamed shoaib (Secretary NCHRO Karnataka chapter). Jameel Ahamed (General Secretary NCHRO Karnataka chapter) delivered the vote of thanks.


The following resolutions were adopted:

1. The Istambul Protocol should be ratified by India.

2. The torture of the victims by the state should be stopped immediately and the perpetrators should be punished.

3. Media should strive to bring out the complete unbiased truth and the false stories should not be amplified and published.

4. We ask the Government both at the Centre and the State to recognize this day and release / speed up the trials of the innocent victims in the judicial custody/process.

5. Stop victimizing the Professional youths in the name of Security.

6. The United Nations Rapporteurs should be allowed to visit and uncover the Human Rights Violations in India.

30-08-2007

Adequate action should be taken against the police officers who pulled a man (Mohammed Aurangazeb alias Salim) along the ground tying his legs on to a motor bike after being accused of stealing a gold chain of a lady. Police also acted as mere spectators when he was brutally beaten up by the public. The incident happened in the Bhagalpur district of Bihar.
Since there is no right for the police to punish any body the barbaric act by the Bhagalpur police which resembles the colonial period is a mockery of the judiciary. Failure to punish the concerned officers involved in such incidents is the reason for such incidents of torture being acted upon citizens especially belonging to Tribals, Dalits, Backward classes and Minorities frequently.

It is noteworthy that National Human Rights Commission has jumped into action immediately. Bihar government should take immediate and adequate steps to uphold the spirit of the judicial system in the country.



RELEASE 2

Shiv sena attack comdemnable

06-12-2007

NCHRO called upon all democratic parties and human rights organizations to condemn the attack by shiv sena activists on the activists of popular front and All India Majlise Mushavarat who were staging a dharna at Jantar Mantar demanding the reconstruction of Babri Masjid on the occasion of completion of 15 years of demolition of the Masjid.
Action of shiv sena activists is a clear indication of attitude of sangh parivar towards the constitutional rights of religious minorities. The role of the police who were passive spectators to the incident also is condemnable.
NCHRO demanded to take strict action against the culprits so that the government can inspire the confidence of religious minorities.



RELEASE 3

Govt must ensure safety of Christian community in Orissa

27-12-2007

NCHRO urged the central govt to interfere immediately to ensure the safety of Christian community in the tribal areas of Orissa being attacked by VHP activists.

The attack on Christian community in Orissa has a lot of similarity to the attack on them happened in Gujarath in the year 1998.It is learned that if the govt had taken adequate action at that time probably the carnage of muslims in the year 2002 could have been prevented.

It is a known fact the safety of religious minorities are at constant threat in the BJP ruled states. Since so many rumours are spreading about the incident a fact finding team comprising representatives of all major political parties should be sent to Orissa to find out the real cause of out break of violence.
Adequate security forces must be deployed immediately in Orissa.

RELEASE 4

Action against human rights activists: an example of police terror

09-01-2008

Attempt of the viyyoor sub inspector to arrest civil and human rights activists in the premises of viyyoor jail is an example of police terror unleashed in kerala.The activists from various parts of the country had come to the jail to visit Mr P. Govindankutty, editor of peoples march who is on a hunger strike after being taken into illegal custody on charges of sedition.This incident is raising the question whether an undeclared emergency is prevailing in kerala.

Attempt by the viyyoor police was a futile exercise to prove and establish the govt stand viz civil and humanright activists are masqueraded terrorists or naxalites. Attempt by the govt to stamp civil and human rights activists as terrorists or naxalites is condemnable.

Got must step back from the attempt to establish a police raj in kerala by unleashing the propaganda that kerala is a hide out of naxalites and terrorists after the arrest of Malla raja Reddy(CPI ML polit beauro member hailing from Andhra Pradesh) and Althaf Ahamed Khan ( a kashmiri youth) from kerala.

RELAESE 5

Strict action should be taken against Bajrang Dal fascists

12-02-2008

NCHRO called upon the Madhya Pradesh govt to take strict action against the Bajarng Dal activists who subottaged the screening of the documentary namely enconter killings: a saffron agenda by Shubradeep chakraborthy.The incident happened in Bhopal where about 70 activists of Bajrang Dal chased off the audience and damaged the furniture of the hall. Act of Bajrang Dal is a clear violation of the right of freedom of expression and the govt should act accordingly to ensure the freedom. Failure on the part of the govt to take adequate action is giving another chance for the fascists to take the law in their hands.

RELEASE 6

Marad bail conditions are miscarriage of justice Women narrate trauma at Public hearing headed by Justice Suresh NCHRO concern at free hand to Sangh Parivar in Orissa

25-02-2008

A Public hearing headed by former Mumbai High Court Justice H. Suresh, human rights activist Dr John Dayal and CHRO Chairperson A Vasu has criticized as a ‘miscarriage of justice’ the Kerala High Court conditions for grant of bail to 30 of the 139 Muslims currently in Kozhikode district jail facing trial for their alleged involvement in the death of nine persons killed in the second of twin communal incidents in the Marad fishing village five kilometers from the city of Kozhikode in the state of kerala.

Kerala High Court Justice R Basant had last month set a bail of Rs 6.00 Lakh for each person through three sureties of Rs 2.00 lakh each, and further conditions that one surety must be a close relative and that the under trials live within three kilometers of the Special trial court in the city.

“These are impossible conditions and affectively mean a denial of bail to the incarcerated fishermen who are poor, whose wives and mothers have barely enough food for survival and have no employment,” justice Suresh said on behalf of the Public hearing jury. The families cannot afford three sureties of Rs 2.00 lakh, nor can they uproot themselves and find living accommodation in Kozhikode city town within the stipulated distance. The situation remains communally charged and all too often, members of the Sangh Parivar attempt to coerce he victims and he justice delivery systems by carrying out agitations against the minority community.

Quoting legal luminaries including former Supreme court judge V R Krishna Iyer, Justice Suresh said in cases of long trials, the courts should support bail rather than jail in the interests if justice.

Over 50 women of Marad came to the Kozhikode hall where the hearing was being held, the first time such a large number of veiled women had appeared in a public Human rights process. The Marad cases are of the killing of three Muslims and two Hindus in an incident in the village after a local altercation. Subsequently, a group of people massacred eight Hindus --- and a Muslim was also killed -- in what was believed to be revenge violence. 139 Muslims men and six boys were arrested.

The women, wives and mothers of under trials of the 2003 communal violence, told the Public hearing headed by Justice Suresh of their harrowing experience since their male relatives were taken into custody while some of them were actually praying in a local mosque. The women also complained of irrational and inequitable official behaviour in the matter of relief and rehabilitation.

In their remarks, Justice Suresh and Dr John Dayal also expressed concern at the voices heard from the highest courts in the land which were posing grave restrictions on Human rights and civil society movements and activists. This posed a danger to the dignity and rights of the Indian citizen and their need to be heard when faced with injustice, tyranny, complicity of official machinery and immunity that seemed to be enjoyed by the police forces who had been now given the license to kill in the guise of containing terrorism and extreme left activities ins several states.

We do not condone violence by any group. We also do not condone extra judicial violence by the state machinery clothed as encounters, custodial deaths and disappearances of young men and women lifted from their homes in searches that extend through a wide swatch of India including the states of Bihar, Orissa, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra ad even parts of Kerala.

We also abhor the tendency to indict social movements and protests against exploitation.

The Higher judiciary must recall the Golden Age of the Supreme Court which had such luminaries as Justices Bhagwati and Krishna Iyer whose judgments enlarged the field of human rights and human dignity not only in India but across the world.

Referring to the incidents in Orissa, Dr Dayal condemned the immunity apparently accorded by the State government to the Sangh Parivar which is in absolute control of the governance. The condition in the refugee camps continues to be pitiable, especially for women. The Christian community continues to face a daily threat. The Centre and State government must act immediately in this matter, bring the culprits to book irrespective of their political and religious affiliations and ensure that peace and communal harmony based on justice and the Constitution of India is restored.





RELAESE 7

WITHDRAW FAKE CASE AGAINST CIVIL RIGHTS ACTIVIST

8-8-2008

The action of the Hyderabad police in implicating Lateef Mohamed Khan, General Secretary of the Civil Liberties Monitoring Committee (CLMC)Hyderabad and executive council member of national confederation of human rights orgnizations (NCHRO) in a very serious criminal offence, namely Cr.No.198/2007 of Gopalapuram police station is condemnable. He is accused of offences of criminal conspiracy, waging war against the Government of India, Sedition etc.

The case was registered by the police under serious provisions of law on 15th June 2007 only on the basis of some CDs allegedly containing inflammatory speeches. Apart from Lateef Mohamed Khan about 64 persons have been booked in this case. But the investigations in connection with this FIR has not revealed any evidences to prove them guilty. Lateef Mohamed Khan is shown as accused No.42. This is allegedly based on the confession of one Mr Yaser (Mohamed Muqeemuddin) who has been arrested recently in connection with this case. Alleged confession in fact does not make out any case against Lateef Mohamed Khan.

Action of the Hyderabad police is said to be a mere tool of harassment intended to cover up for the failure of the police to uncover the actual conspiracy and the actual perpetrators of the Mecca Masjid, Gokul chat and Lumbini Park bomb blasts. It is a shameful abuse of power.

Lateef Mohamed Khan was countinuously protesting against this type of abuse of power by police whenever it happened. He had drawn the attention of the Press and the Government to instances of illegal detention and torture by Hyderabad police after the above said blasts. He had assisted the family members of the victims of torture to file petitions. He has talked to the prisoners and brought into light the tales of their torture. He has assisted every enquiry including that by the State Minorities Commission into these atrocities. He has also filed a suit for the damages along with eminent human rights activists Teesta Setalvad and Harsh Mandar against Hyderabad police for the torture inflicted on the detenues. The case against him is nothing but an attempt to silence his voice.

NCHRO strongly condemn the action of the Hyderabad police and express our solidarity with Lateef Mohamed Khan and CLMC. NCHRO demand that the police delete his name from the case.

RELAESE 8

Army / Central Forces must be deployed immediately in Orissa

27-08-2008

NCHRO demand the Central government to take immediate and necessary action to deploy Army/central forces in the riot hit areas of Orissa, where carnage against the Christian community, mostly Dalits and Tribals is still continuing since 23rd August 2008 following the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswathi, reportedly by Maoist groups.

A nun has been raped in Kandhamal, priests were grievously injured,scores of houses in villages destroyed, apart from Churches and institutions. Many of the villagers have been forced to take shelter in the nearby forests.

The Christians of Kandhamal are still nursing their wounds from the Christmas 2007 violence, with hundreds of them still living in a refugee camp in Barakhama. Most of the churches then destroyed remain in ruins, and the burnt houses are still to be fully rebuilt. And yet local Sangh parivar leaders have targetted the community in a second wave of macabre violence.

Much of these violence is taking place with the insufficient police force looking on. State machinery has collapsed once again to contain the violence. Hence Government of India should act without delay to rush adequate Union forces, including contingents of the Armed Forces if required, to restore law and order in Orissa. The consequences of any further delay may be catastrophic for peace in Orissa and for the fair name of India as a secular country.