UPDATE ON ORISSA COMMUNAL VIOLENCE

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KOLKATA 000247 SENSITIVE SIPDIS STATE FOR DRL (MORALLES) E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PHUM PGOV IN SUBJECT: UPDATE ON ORISSA COMMUNAL VIOLENCE REF: A. A. KOLKATA 245 ¶B. B. KOLKATA 239 ¶C. C. KOLKATA 238 KOLKATA 00000247 001.2 OF 002 ¶1. (SBU) Summary: The situation in Orissa's Kandhamal district still remains tense. Federal Home Minister Shivraj Patil was able to make a spot assessment of the situation in Orissa on September 3. At least 16 people have died in the communal clashes which began on August 24 and about 550 houses have been destroyed. Ten relief camps have been set up for the riot victims. On September 3, the Supreme Court of India ordered the government of Orissa to explain what steps were taken to contain the violence and protect the lives of Christians in Kandhamal. End summary. ¶2. (SBU) The situation in Orissa's Kandhamal district still remains tense and sporadic violence continues. Media reports two new incidents of arson destroying as much as 80 homes on the morning of September 2. On September 1, Orissa government Chief Secretary Ajit Kumar Tripathy informed the media that 543 houses were burned down in Kandhamal district and about 15 houses had been set ablaze in Gajapati district. The Chief Secretary did not report how many people were killed in the communal riot. An official from Orissa's Home department informed PolFSN on September 3 that about 16 people have been killed. The President of All Indian Christian Council Rev R.R. Parichha and the Acting President of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP),Dr. Umesh Patri, told PolFSN that they are not aware of any new incidents since September 2. Government Response ¶3. (SBU) There is widespread criticism of the state's handling of the crisis, especially by the Christian Council. The foremost complaint has been the lack of police presence and response to the communal riots. In reports to the media, Inspector General of Police, Intelligence, R.P. Singh said that only 2,500 personnel from various forces including central paramilitary forces were available to combat the violence in rural villages spread out across the Kandhamal district. At the request of the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government of Orissa, the Centre has agreed to send 5,500 security personnel to help curb the violence. ¶4. (SBU) Media reports that the Orissa state government has established ten relief camps for the riot victims. Shelter with free food is provided in Kandhamal, Rayagada and Gajapati districts. These camps house about 12,539 people. According to media reports, Federal Home Minister Shivraj Patil visited the area on September 3 to make an assessment. The junior Federal Home Minister Shri Prakash Jaiswal had visited the state last week. On September 3, the Home Ministry summoned Orissa Governor Murlidhar Bhandare on September 3 to brief the Centre on the law and order situation in Orissa. Court Intervention ¶5. (SBU) On September 3, the Supreme Court ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the violence. This was in response to a petition filed by Cuttack's Archbishop Raphael Cheenath. The court has asked the government of Orissa to explain what steps were taken to contain the violence and protect the lives of Christians living in the affected areas of Kandhamal district. On August 24, the Orissa government ordered a judicial inquiry into the incidents. Retired Orissa High Court judge S.C. Mahapatra is heading the commission. The commission has yet to start work. Who killed Saraswati? ¶6. (SBU) The government of Orissa continues to assert that Maoists killed Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and the other VHP activists. Media sources informed PolFSN that the state committee of Maoists from Orissa has sent media outlets a message denying involvement in the murders. Other media sources from Bhubaneswar told PolFSN that the Central Committee of the Communist Party of India (Maoists) in Delhi claimed responsibility for the murders. A former state general Secretary of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and present Chairman of the State Civil Supplies Corporation told PolFSN that many theories are still floating around on who actually killed Saraswati and the cloud must be cleared soon to help restore a sense of normalcy in the state. ¶7. (SBU) Comment: Although the scale of violence in Orissa seems to have subsided for the moment, tensions still simmer between the Christian and the Hindu communities and sporadic outbreaks of violence continue. With an additional 5,500 federal forces being deployed in the state, the scale of violence is likely to come down but establishment of communal harmony will be difficult. An unbiased inquiry into the KOLKATA 00000247 002.2 OF 002 incident and its report could play a major role in restoring confidence between the two affected communities. End Comment. PAYNE