Kandhamal 2008 Anti-Christian Violence report expected soon

Dr. John Dayal, eminent journalist and activist speaking for the victims of 2008 Kandhamal Anti-Christian Violence on its 6th Anniversary during the solidarity and protest event held at Jantar Mantar, New Delhi on Monday, 25th August 2014. Christian Today India

The Kandhamal Violence of August 2008 which saw more than 5000 houses looted and destroyed and more than 104 Christians killed along with many a church buildings charred in small town and villages of Kandhamal District of Orissa would see some amount of justice coming their way as The Commission of Inquiry on anti-Christian violence will be presenting their report by December end, to the state government.

The detail report would be published soon even as the Commission concluded its hearing in the matter by October 30.

Explaining the seven year delay to finish the investigation, head of the Commission Judge A.S. Naidu, pointed to the "lack of cooperation of many stakeholders, including the government."

During initial investigation the Commission received and recorded 700 sworn testimonies and statements. Those were the basis of the interim report to the state government in 2009 recommending to contain the violence that was still strong at that time.

The Commission's work was one fold - to study the chain of events that led to the murder of Hindu godmen Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati's on August 23, 2008 and the wave of anti-Christian violence that started as a result. Initially Christians were accused of killing the Swami but later investigations shown the hand of Maoists. Though by that time much harm had already been inflicted on the Christian community of Kandhamal.