ORISSA: COMMUNAL VIOLENCE SUBSIDES

UNCLAS KOLKATA 000245

SENSITIVE
SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR DRL (MORALLES)

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV IN
SUBJECT: ORISSA: COMMUNAL VIOLENCE SUBSIDES

REF: A. A) KOLKATA 239

B. B) KOLKATA 238

C. C) KOLKATA 002


1. (SBU) Summary: After a week of attacks on Christian
communities in the Kandhamal district of Orissa, the violence
appears to have subsided. Government of Orissa officials
confirm ten fatalities and are investigating reports of one or
two additional casualties. The government established relief
camps for displaced person in 7 blocks in Kandhamal, housing
4084 people. According to post contacts in the Orissa Christian
community, the violence in this district was widespread and
Christian leaders requested protection from the Indian Army.
Post plans a trip to Orissa in mid-September to confirm reports
and provide a more detailed analysis of events. End Summary


2. (U) Violence sparked by the killing of the Vishwa Hindu
Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati in Orissa
continued for six days in the Kandhamal district of the state,
but then tapered off on Friday, August 29. K. S. Sarangi,
Deputy Secretary, Department of Home, Government, told EconFSN
that the government has confirmed ten fatalities as a result of
the violence and that police are investigating reports one or
two additional casualties. A senior Orissa VHP contact told
PolFSN that 5 of those killed were Hindus. Sarangi told EconFSN
that approximately 4084 people are being housed in temporary
relief camps in Kandhamal and an unknown number of people have
fled into the forest areas. The extent of the property damage
is not yet known, but local media report widespread attacks on
Christian homes, churches and individuals. The President of the
Orissa Chapter of the All India Christian Council, Reverend P.R.
Parichha, informed PolFSN that the violence against Christians
in Orissa is rampant. Note: According to the International
Religious Freedom Report, 2.4% of the population in Orissa is
Christian. Local Christian contacts speculate that 20% of the
population in the district of Kandhamal is Christian. End Note.


3. (U) Sarangi reported that the curfew in Kandhamal district
was relaxed for a few hours on Friday, August 29. Post has not
yet confirmed the number of arrests. On August 28, Chief
Minister Naveen Patnaik told the Orissa State Assembly that
since August 24, the state police had made 167 arrests and filed
85 criminal cases in relation to the communal violence.
According to the media, the Federal Minister of State for Home
Affairs, Sri Prakash Jaiswal, visited the state capital to
assess the situation but was prevented from entering the
Khandamal district for security reasons.


4. (U) No one has claimed responsibility for Saraswati's murder
and government contacts are not yet willing to share theories on
possible suspects. Acting VHP President of Orissa, Dr. Umesh
Patri, told PolFSN that Andhra Pradesh is sending a special
police force known as the 'Greyhounds' to investigate
Saraswati's killing. According to Patri, the 'Greyhounds' are
highly trained in combating Maoist rebels. Parichha told PolFSN
that Orissa Church leaders submitted a memorandum to the state
government requesting Indian Army intervention. Post has been
unable to confirm media reports that the Indian national
government has sent 20 companies of paramilitary and helicopters
to the state.


5. (SBU) Comment: While the violence has subsided at the moment,
the situation in Orissa is still volatile. ConGen is planning a
trip to Orissa in the near future to meet with government
officials, NGOs, religious groups and community leaders and will
provide a more detailed analysis after this trip. End Comment.

PAYNE