'Two more years needed to complete Kandhamal riots probe'

Despite no progress made, the Commission heading the Kandhamal investigation has asked for two more years to complete the probe.

"I am not at all happy with the pace of the probe. I need to find out the root of the matter. I need at least two more years to complete the probe," said Justice Sarat Chandra Mohapatra who heads the Commission.

In an interview with IANS, Mohapatra blamed political parties and religious organisations for not co-operating with the investigation.

"I have issued letters to all major political parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the Congress and the ruling Biju Janata Dal, but most of them have not filed their statements before the commission yet," Justice Mohapatra was quoted saying.

"Political parties certainly have a role in the inquiry process as there was a doubt raised about the working of the government machinery. But, except for the Communist Party of India, no other political party has come forward to file their responses," he added.

In addition, he says, letters were also issued to religious organisations, columnists and professors who spoke on the issue, but so far he has got no response.

"I have also issued notices to media organisations that reported the incident. But not a single media organisation has come forward to file its response yet," he said.

Mohapatra, a former Orissa high court judge, was appointed in October 2008 after violence rocked the state of Orissa and scores of Christians were murdered and thousands forced to flee to forests.

The Commission has already got three extensions and the current investigation is reportedly to end by September 2010.