Orissa victims to return from Kerala

Dozens of Christians who were sheltered in Kerala during the Kandhamal violence will revert to their villages in Orissa.

Tentative plans are underway by the Kerala Government to send back at least 56 Christians who were offered refuge during last year's Orissa carnage.

The victims were camped in Kochi after human rights activists and church groups pleaded for help. The government apart from offering shelter has also met to all their daily requirements.

According to sources, a senior government official would first visit the Orissa state to assess the situation before exiting the victims.

While the Chief Minister's Relief Fund will meet the expenses, the Railways will be approached for a bogey of the Alappuzha-Dhanbad Express to facilitate their journey.

The immediate decision, says Kerala Social Welfare Department, came as a section of refugees became 'restless' and requested the government to help them return to Orissa. However, the department says it wont act in an impulsive manner on the victims' demand, until the government reviews the current situation in Orissa.

Meanwhile, the Kerala authorities have lodged a complaint with the police after two couples and three young women left the camp early on Tuesday. They had also left a note saying they were returning to Orissa.

Authorities say they would not have boarded any train as they had little money with them. And moreover, the refugees could not be put under detention, as they were not involved in any criminal activities.