Centre not doing enough: Karat
HYDERABAD: CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat has criticised the Centre for not doing enough to contain the violence against Christians in Orissa and urged it to take strong action against the Bajrang Dal. He wanted it to issue directives to the Naveen Patnaik government under Article 355 of the Constitution.
Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday, he said the situation in Kandhamal district continued to be serious. There had been similar attacks in Karnataka also. “There is enough evidence that the Bajrang Dal is participating in these violent attacks on Christian minorities. Our demand has been that the Central government should initiate strong action against the Bajrang Dal.”
He said the ‘Unlawful Activities Act’ should be applied to all extremist groups that indulge in violence, whether they belonged to the minority community or the majority community.
It was not enough to issue advisory letters to the Orissa government. Under Article 355, the Centre could issue directives to State governments for the arrest of all culprits, ensuring that cases were filed and telling them how serious crimes like the rape of a nun and killing of people should be probed.
“We have, of course, demanded that the CBI should be handed over the investigation of such cases.”
Replying to a question on invoking Article 356, he said the CPI(M) was against its use in general, except when there was a serious threat to national unity and the country’s secular fabric. In the present situation in Orissa, he wanted the Centre to issue directives under Article 355.
He also accused the BJP of fomenting communal trouble all over the country, with an eye on the coming elections. Citing the incidents in Assam and Dhule in Maharashtra, he said the RSS and its outfits were fomenting communal tension and creating communal polarisations. This was “condemnable.”
He faulted the Securities and Exchange Board of India for removing restrictions pertaining to Participatory Notes and said that it was trying to bring back speculative finances which had left India.
“We are trying to import the financial crisis in America into our country,” he said. He demanded that the RBI and SEBI tighten the regulations and prevent speculative financial flows.
Asked about the clean chit given to Samajwadi Party leader Amar Singh by the Parliamentary Committee set up to go into the cash-for-votes scam, he said one must wait for the final report.
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Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Continue taking stern action: Sister Nirmala
APPEAL FOR PEACE: Sister Nirmala, Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity, meets Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. She stressed the need for strong action in Kandhamal district to restore peace.
BHUBANESWAR: The situation in riot-hit Kandhamal district was bad and the Orissa government should continue taking strong measures to bring the situation under control, Sister Nirmala, Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity, said here on Tuesday.
Talking to journalists after she met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Sister Nirmala said she was happy that the government had started taking strong measures to restore peace in Kandhamal.
“I am happy now that the State government has started taking strong measures. They should continue their efforts so that peace may return and violence-affected families could return to their homes,” she said.
The people who had been affected by the communal violence in Kandhamal were unsafe and reluctant to return to their villages out of fear, she said.
Sister Nirmala had written to Mr. Patnaik on August 28 urging him to restore peace in Kandhamal when Christian families and their houses were being attacked in the wake of the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda. In her letter, she had also referred to the rape of the Catholic nun at K. Nuagaon.
The Crime Branch of the State police have arrested the main accused in the nun rape case taking the number of arrests in the case to five. More arrests were expected soon, according to Director-General of Police Manmohan Praharaj.Bid to reach nun
Mr. Praharaj also appealed to the nun to participate in the legal proceedings in the case. A police team was camping in New Delhi to reach to the nun.
Mr. Patnaik reviewed the situation in Kandhamal and directed the authorities to keep a close watch on the situation to restore normality in the district. He also emphasised the need for rehabilitating thousands of riot-affected people who had taken shelter in relief camps.
In another development, as many as 40 riot-affected people from Kandhamal led by Opposition Leader J.B. Patnaik met Governor M. C. Bhandare and demanded that the CBI should be asked to probe all cases pertaining to the communal violence in the district.
The violence-affected people countered the government’s claim that those taking shelter in relief camps had started returning to their villages.
Those living in the camps were leaving for distant places as there was no safety in their villages, they said.
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BHUBANESWAR: The situation in riot-hit Kandhamal district was bad and the Orissa government should continue taking strong measures to bring the situation under control, Sister Nirmala, Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity, said here on Tuesday.
Talking to journalists after she met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Sister Nirmala said she was happy that the government had started taking strong measures to restore peace in Kandhamal.
“I am happy now that the State government has started taking strong measures. They should continue their efforts so that peace may return and violence-affected families could return to their homes,” she said.
The people who had been affected by the communal violence in Kandhamal were unsafe and reluctant to return to their villages out of fear, she said.
Sister Nirmala had written to Mr. Patnaik on August 28 urging him to restore peace in Kandhamal when Christian families and their houses were being attacked in the wake of the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda. In her letter, she had also referred to the rape of the Catholic nun at K. Nuagaon.
The Crime Branch of the State police have arrested the main accused in the nun rape case taking the number of arrests in the case to five. More arrests were expected soon, according to Director-General of Police Manmohan Praharaj.Bid to reach nun
Mr. Praharaj also appealed to the nun to participate in the legal proceedings in the case. A police team was camping in New Delhi to reach to the nun.
Mr. Patnaik reviewed the situation in Kandhamal and directed the authorities to keep a close watch on the situation to restore normality in the district. He also emphasised the need for rehabilitating thousands of riot-affected people who had taken shelter in relief camps.
In another development, as many as 40 riot-affected people from Kandhamal led by Opposition Leader J.B. Patnaik met Governor M. C. Bhandare and demanded that the CBI should be asked to probe all cases pertaining to the communal violence in the district.
The violence-affected people countered the government’s claim that those taking shelter in relief camps had started returning to their villages.
Those living in the camps were leaving for distant places as there was no safety in their villages, they said.
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Monday, October 6, 2008
prayer request
Dear Saints in the LordWe request you all to pray for the following on urgent basis.also requesting to forward to your mailing list.
1. Karnataka ( India) Government is planning to bring ANTI-CONVERSION LAW as earlier as possible in this state. Please pray that our Lord will intervene and stop these kind of devil's plan which is well planned against Christianity.2. The Central Minister for Health in India, Dr.Anbumani, is trying to legalise the Homesexual and lesbian in INDIA. Pls pray that these kind of devil's plan will be vanished by the Lord's intervention
1. Karnataka ( India) Government is planning to bring ANTI-CONVERSION LAW as earlier as possible in this state. Please pray that our Lord will intervene and stop these kind of devil's plan which is well planned against Christianity.2. The Central Minister for Health in India, Dr.Anbumani, is trying to legalise the Homesexual and lesbian in INDIA. Pls pray that these kind of devil's plan will be vanished by the Lord's intervention
BHUBANESWAR: A three-member Orissa police team led by B. Radhika, Inspector-General (Training), on Monday left for New Delhi to bring to the State the nun who was raped at K. Nuagaon village in Kandhamal district on August 25.
“We want the nun to be in Orissa to help us in the investigation and the judicial proceedings pertaining to the case,” Director-General of Police Manmohan Praharaj told The Hindu. She would be provided adequate security wherever she lived in the State, he said.
The nun, along with a priest, was beaten up by a mob of about 40 men, one of whom later raped her. The incident took place even as violence was spreading in Kandhamal after the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda.
Meanwhile, Sister Nirmala, Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity, has reached the city. She is scheduled to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday. 900 cases booked
Mr. Praharaj said more than 900 cases were registered in connection with the communal violence in Kandhamal district and at least 465 people arrested. More arrests were likely in connection with the riots.
The cases registered in different police stations in the strife-torn district pertained to killings, rape, rioting and burning down of houses, churches and other prayer houses.
Mr. Praharaj said that in each police station a police official would accept complaints from the affected people.
Besides, cases were being registered on complaints received by post.
Although violence spread to the neighbouring Kalahandi district on Monday, the DGP claimed, the number of violent incidents had come down in Kandhamal during the past few days due to strengthening of security in interior areas. Patrolling had been intensified in sensitive areas to prevent blocking of roads by those indulging in violence.
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“We want the nun to be in Orissa to help us in the investigation and the judicial proceedings pertaining to the case,” Director-General of Police Manmohan Praharaj told The Hindu. She would be provided adequate security wherever she lived in the State, he said.
The nun, along with a priest, was beaten up by a mob of about 40 men, one of whom later raped her. The incident took place even as violence was spreading in Kandhamal after the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda.
Meanwhile, Sister Nirmala, Superior-General of the Missionaries of Charity, has reached the city. She is scheduled to meet Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Tuesday. 900 cases booked
Mr. Praharaj said more than 900 cases were registered in connection with the communal violence in Kandhamal district and at least 465 people arrested. More arrests were likely in connection with the riots.
The cases registered in different police stations in the strife-torn district pertained to killings, rape, rioting and burning down of houses, churches and other prayer houses.
Mr. Praharaj said that in each police station a police official would accept complaints from the affected people.
Besides, cases were being registered on complaints received by post.
Although violence spread to the neighbouring Kalahandi district on Monday, the DGP claimed, the number of violent incidents had come down in Kandhamal during the past few days due to strengthening of security in interior areas. Patrolling had been intensified in sensitive areas to prevent blocking of roads by those indulging in violence.
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Anti christian
3 held in Lakshmanananda case
Attacks on houses of Christians reported in Kalahandi
BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa police on Monday arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda.
Duryodhan Sunamajhi, Munda Badamajhi and Sanatan Badamajhi, arrested from the Tumudibandha area of riot-hit Kandhamal district, were active members of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). Two guns, masks and black dresses were recovered from them, the new Director-General of Police Manmohan Praharaj told The Hindu over telephone.
Mr. Praharaj, who did not comment on the religious identity of the three, said more arrests were likely in the case.
Soon after Lakshmanananda was killed, by about 40 armed men at his ashram at Jalespata in Kandhamal on August 23, the then DGP Gopal Chandra Nanda said the crime was committed by suspected Maoists. However, confusion was created after leaders of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal claimed that militant Christians had killed the Swami.
Attacks on the houses of Christians were reported from the neighbouring Kalahandi district. The houses were burnt down in Sukuli village in Kalahandi early in the day.
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Attacks on houses of Christians reported in Kalahandi
BHUBANESWAR: The Orissa police on Monday arrested three people for their alleged involvement in the killing of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Swami Lakshmanananda.
Duryodhan Sunamajhi, Munda Badamajhi and Sanatan Badamajhi, arrested from the Tumudibandha area of riot-hit Kandhamal district, were active members of the Communist Party of India (Maoist). Two guns, masks and black dresses were recovered from them, the new Director-General of Police Manmohan Praharaj told The Hindu over telephone.
Mr. Praharaj, who did not comment on the religious identity of the three, said more arrests were likely in the case.
Soon after Lakshmanananda was killed, by about 40 armed men at his ashram at Jalespata in Kandhamal on August 23, the then DGP Gopal Chandra Nanda said the crime was committed by suspected Maoists. However, confusion was created after leaders of the VHP and the Bajrang Dal claimed that militant Christians had killed the Swami.
Attacks on the houses of Christians were reported from the neighbouring Kalahandi district. The houses were burnt down in Sukuli village in Kalahandi early in the day.
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Sunday, October 5, 2008
Predential rule in India
Orissa’s inaction a violation: Patil
“Demand growing for President’s rule”
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Saturday hinted that the Centre might have to invoke Article 356 of the Constitution to impose President’s Rule in Orissa if the continued violence in the State was not brought under control.
In an interview to a private television channel, Mr. Patil termed the “inaction” of the Orissa government in controlling the violence a “violation of the Constitution” and said “there is a growing demand for President’s rule if the situation worsens.”
Noting that police forces and helicopters had been provided to control the situation, he said the Centre was unhappy with the Orissa government’s lack of action. Six warnings sent
The Centre had already sent six warnings to the State government and “merely continuing to ask for additional forces after every few days cannot be a solution. The State government has to implement [an] overall strategy for creating [an] environment of security,” he added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party was quick to react. Senior leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said while violence anywhere was condemnable, the United Progressive Alliance government did nothing when there were violent incidents in Nandigram in West Bengal and an agitation against Hindi-speaking people in Assam led to the cold-blooded murder of some people. Why did not Mr. Patil then think about imposing President’s Rule in those States?
The violence in Orissa began on August 23 following the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad activist Lakshmanananda, who was aggressively pursuing the VHP’s re-conversion programme, ghar vapasi (homecoming). Since then hundreds of Christian homes have been set on fire and thousands have fled their villages and taken shelter in forests or relief camps.I can identify men who raped me: nun
PTI reports:
While demanding justice, a nun who was raped in Kandhamal district has claimed that she can identify the culprits.
The nun said she was dragged by the hair by men from a Hindu household where she was hiding. “...Two men were holding my hand, one raped me,” she told CNN-IBN from an ‘undisclosed location.’
She demanded justice not only for herself “but for the sake of the people I was working with.” The nun appealed to the State government to ensure protection to the people of Kandhamal and said the situation had been bad for far too long.
Blaming the police for inaction, the nun claimed that when she and others were being taken towards a market, the policemen present there failed to protect them. “... they were sitting like stones. They did not talk or move,” she said.
Speaking to NDTV, the nun said: “I asked the police for help but they just looked on. Those who were mute spectators should also be punished.”
She has left Orissa and is not sure whether she will return to Kandhamal
“Demand growing for President’s rule”
NEW DELHI: Union Home Minister Shivraj Patil on Saturday hinted that the Centre might have to invoke Article 356 of the Constitution to impose President’s Rule in Orissa if the continued violence in the State was not brought under control.
In an interview to a private television channel, Mr. Patil termed the “inaction” of the Orissa government in controlling the violence a “violation of the Constitution” and said “there is a growing demand for President’s rule if the situation worsens.”
Noting that police forces and helicopters had been provided to control the situation, he said the Centre was unhappy with the Orissa government’s lack of action. Six warnings sent
The Centre had already sent six warnings to the State government and “merely continuing to ask for additional forces after every few days cannot be a solution. The State government has to implement [an] overall strategy for creating [an] environment of security,” he added.
The Bharatiya Janata Party was quick to react. Senior leader M. Venkaiah Naidu said while violence anywhere was condemnable, the United Progressive Alliance government did nothing when there were violent incidents in Nandigram in West Bengal and an agitation against Hindi-speaking people in Assam led to the cold-blooded murder of some people. Why did not Mr. Patil then think about imposing President’s Rule in those States?
The violence in Orissa began on August 23 following the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad activist Lakshmanananda, who was aggressively pursuing the VHP’s re-conversion programme, ghar vapasi (homecoming). Since then hundreds of Christian homes have been set on fire and thousands have fled their villages and taken shelter in forests or relief camps.I can identify men who raped me: nun
PTI reports:
While demanding justice, a nun who was raped in Kandhamal district has claimed that she can identify the culprits.
The nun said she was dragged by the hair by men from a Hindu household where she was hiding. “...Two men were holding my hand, one raped me,” she told CNN-IBN from an ‘undisclosed location.’
She demanded justice not only for herself “but for the sake of the people I was working with.” The nun appealed to the State government to ensure protection to the people of Kandhamal and said the situation had been bad for far too long.
Blaming the police for inaction, the nun claimed that when she and others were being taken towards a market, the policemen present there failed to protect them. “... they were sitting like stones. They did not talk or move,” she said.
Speaking to NDTV, the nun said: “I asked the police for help but they just looked on. Those who were mute spectators should also be punished.”
She has left Orissa and is not sure whether she will return to Kandhamal
Friday, October 3, 2008
useless steps
Manmohan directs Patil to submit report on Orissa, Karnataka
New Delhi (PTI): Taking note of the continuing violence in Orissa and Karnataka, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday sought a detailed report from Home Minister Shivraj Patil on the situation in these States.
"The Cabinet took note of the latest situation prevailing in Orissa and Karnataka and the Home Minister was asked by the Prime Minister to apprise the Cabinet of the situation in its next meeting," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters.
He said serious concern was expressed on Orissa, particularly Kandhamal where "some organisations" were actively taking part in the violence and the Home Ministry has been asked to give an appraisal report at the earliest.
"The situation is very grave. The government is quite concerned," he said.
Pointing out that 7,500 para-military personnel had been rushed to Kandhamal, with 100 jawans posted at every village, he said the Centre strongly felt that the "Orissa government has to do more, which they are not doing".
Asked whether imposition of President's rule in the State was discussed, he replied in the negative saying matters pertaining to the Constitution were not discussed arbitrarily.
New Delhi (PTI): Taking note of the continuing violence in Orissa and Karnataka, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Friday sought a detailed report from Home Minister Shivraj Patil on the situation in these States.
"The Cabinet took note of the latest situation prevailing in Orissa and Karnataka and the Home Minister was asked by the Prime Minister to apprise the Cabinet of the situation in its next meeting," Information and Broadcasting Minister P R Dasmunsi told reporters.
He said serious concern was expressed on Orissa, particularly Kandhamal where "some organisations" were actively taking part in the violence and the Home Ministry has been asked to give an appraisal report at the earliest.
"The situation is very grave. The government is quite concerned," he said.
Pointing out that 7,500 para-military personnel had been rushed to Kandhamal, with 100 jawans posted at every village, he said the Centre strongly felt that the "Orissa government has to do more, which they are not doing".
Asked whether imposition of President's rule in the State was discussed, he replied in the negative saying matters pertaining to the Constitution were not discussed arbitrarily.
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