SC asks NHRC to submit rehabilitation report on Kandhamal riot

The Supreme Court has directed the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to submit a status report within six months on the relief and rehabilitation work in Kandhamal district, which was ravaged by riot in 2008, while hearing an intervening petition filed by Archbishop of Cuttuck.

The apex court was dissatisfied with the state government's response over the allegation that it mismanaged relief and rehabilitation programmes and said it will resume hearing on the above matter after six months.

Two weeks back the court had upbraided Orissa government for its poor management in compensating riot victims and had sought an explanation. It had also issued notices to the state government on rehabilitating those affected in the Kandhamal riots in December 2007 and August 2008.

The application filed by Archbishop has alleged inadequate compensation to the riot affected and said irrational methodology was employed in selecting the recipients and assessing the damage to private and public properties. It further said that the state government has miserably failed in rehabilitation activities.

The application also sought the SC help in directing Orissa government to re-survey the relief and rehabilitation work and said the apex court should decide the quantum of compensation amount for the people who died and were injured during the riot.

The petition has requested the court to direct the government about including 230 damaged and demolished churches in its rehabilitation package and provide financial aid for reconstruction. It demanded special package for Kandhamal riot affected victims in line with Gujarat and Delhi Sikh riot packages.

It had also sought food security and job guarantee schemes be extended for all the riot-affected, irrespective of their pre-violence status. According to an estimate, 50,000 people were affected by riots in Kandhamal.