Independent tribunal to visit Kandhamal from today

A four–member independent tribunal headed by two high court judges, is scheduled to visit Kandhamal district in Orissa, where violence by the Hindu radical groups wrecked the Christian community on December 2007, last year.

The tribunal will be headed by eminent jurists Justice Hospet Suresh, Justice Kolse Patil, Director General of Police, Gujarat, Mr. R. B. Sreekumar and Ms Teesta Setalvad, a noted Human rights activist.

Starting today, the tribunal will begin its inspection of relief, reconstruction and security measures, from Kandhamal district to Bamunigaon and Behrampur, till 17th May.

During this time, public hearings will be organised by the team, to address the plights of the people who were affected by the violence.

The attack on a Christmas Eve, last year, led to the displacement of more than 5000 Christians, while at least 9 were declared dead.

Over 600 Christian homes and 70 churches were burnt in the salvage attack, which according to the All India Christian Council, was preplanned by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad and other Hindutva groups.

After the conclusion of its inspection on 16th May, the tribunal will release its preliminary report at a press conference in Bhubaneswar.

Copies of the report will be sent to the President, Prime Minister, Governor of Orissa, the Chief Minister and the Director General of Police.

The National Minorities Commission for Scheduled Tribes and the National Commission for Women will also act and address the issues of the people in Orissa, after the tribunal publishes its report.

After the international community became seriously concerned over the violence in Orissa, the U.N sent its special rapporteur on freedom of religion and belief, Asma Jehangir, on an inspection, this year.

Jehangir affirmed that "religious intolerance has risen in India and the divisions based on religion must be halted now."

Jehangir severely castigated the slowness of government inquiries in previous religious clashes and blamed the law enforcement authorities for being reluctant to act against perpetuators of religious violence.

The outbreak of violence started on 24th December, ended only after the Government imposed curfew in order to control the situation.

The Kandhamal district in Orissa has 600,000 people of which 150,000 are Christians.