Christians threatened on Palm Sunday in Kandhamal, Orissa

The Orissa Crime Branch on Thursday confirmed that VHP leader Laxmanananda Saraswati was murdered by the Maoists in Kandhamal district.

Police authorities say the conspiracy to murder the VHP leader was taken by the Central Committee of Communist Party of India (Maoist) about seven months ago, when Hindu fanatics targeted the tribal people, December 2007.

"Maoists were given money to train certain youths of a particular community to eliminate Saraswati", Inspector General (IG) of Police, crime branch, Arun Ray said, claiming the leader of the killings had been identified. The mastermind has fled Orissa the IG said, adding "we will trace them soon."

They alleged that a group of about six hardcore extremists killed the VHP leader at the Jalespata ashram on August 23.

Sources said the extremists who slayed the VHP leader was armed with AK–47 rifles and got assistance from local youths belonging to four different groups from neighboring villages to execute their plan.

Meanwhile, legal action is being taken against Ashok Sahu President of the Hindu Jagaran Mancha for circulating documents accusing Christians of a conspiracy hatched at Bethikala church in Kandhamal to eliminate the VHP leader.

The documents alleged that a meeting to plan the murder of Swami Laxmanananda was taken place in Bethikala church attended by 17 people scouted by Christian leaders.

In response, several Christians including Father Joseph Kalathil, Vicar General, Archbishop House, Rev Fr Prafulla Ku Sabhapati, President of Bethikala Parish Council, Kandhamal and Prafulla Ku Nayak, General Secretary Bethikala Parish Council said, "We will file both civil and criminal defamation case against the person who made such allegations,"

"We strongly condemn this attitude of the Hindu fundamentalist organisations attempting to drag Christians and church into the crime purposefully by fanning elements of hate to sustain the campaign against Christians," they said in a joint statement.

The outbreak of violence in Orissa started on 24th December 2007, when groups of Hindu activists protested against Christians preparing for Christmas celebrations. The rioting led to the burning of over 700 Christian homes, 95 churches and at least 12 Christian institutions.

Following the event, Maoists hatched a conspiracy to murder VHP leader Saraswati who was accused of spreading communal disharmony and division among tribals and minorities.

"Laxmanananda was not fighting for Hindus. He was heading the VHP and implementing an agenda targeted against the minorities," Sabyasachi Panda, Orissa's top ranking Maoist leader said.

"No one speaks for minorities. They are exploited. The riot, after the murder of Laxmanananda, was a conspiracy by the Sangh Parivar. Even without his killing, they would've caused riots to impose their agenda on the people," he added.

Despite the Maoists claiming responsibility, the VHP and its umbrella organisations indulged in violent attacks killing over 60 Christians, injuring 18,000, destroying 4,500 homes, and burning at least 180 churches.

The attacks have been condemned by the Vatican and described as "a national shame" by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. Christians account for 2.3 percent of India's billion–plus Hindu majority population.