Kandhamal violence continues

There seems to be no let-up in violence in Kandhamal as yet another jawan of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) was killed by the suspected tribal people in the strife-torn district on Monday.

Police recovered the body of Buxi Singh, the slain CRPF jawan from Medhapenta jungle near Raikia on Monday night. Police said that he was killed by the miscreants when two security persons went to a nearby village. While Singh was killed, the other jawan returned safely. It was the third such incident in the district, when a tribal mob had attacked the CRPF jawans.

With the death of Singh, the official death toll in violence in Kandhamal district has reached 38, including three CRPF jawans. However, the unofficial death toll has been pegged at 44.

Meanwhile the tribal people of the district on Tuesday urged the government to withdraw the CRPF personnel from the district and condemned the massive arrest of tribals by the district administration."The arrest was made by the district administration under pressure of the Christian body and the Central government", alleged Lambodar Kanhar, the president of the Kue Samaj Coordination Committee. He warned the government not to take action against the innocent tribals.

The Kue Samaj coordination committee convened a meeting at Phulabani, the district headquarter town and the meeting was attended by Kue, a sub tribe of Kandh, from almost all areas of the riot-hit district. In the meeting, an appeal was made to maintain communal harmony and refrain from violent activities. "The innocent tribal people of the district do not believe in violence and we appeal to all to maintain peace", Kanhar said.

Meanwhile, the district administration has asked the investigation officers to expedite investigation on alleged fake caste certificate cases. A ten-member police team was deputed by the state government to probe the allegations.

The Kue Samaj has furnished names of 590 people who were getting benefits meant for tribals, with forged certificates. A review meeting, presided by MS Padhy, the special administrator for Kandhamal, was held in Phulabani on progress of the investigation of fake certificate cases.