Prafulla Das
BHUBANESWAR: The administration in strife-torn Kandhamal district of Orissa is now grappling with a crisis that had arisen in the wake of the recent anti-Christian violence. The district police now have around 800 riot-related cases to handle and hundreds of people wanted in these cases are now on the run.
While looking for those involved in the riot, the police are also struggling to maintain peace as sporadic attacks on Christians continue and Maoists expand their network and activities.
A 45-year-old man belonging to the minority community was hacked to death by a group in the Tikabali area of the district on Thursday, and armed Maoists attacked a forest beat house and took away five weapons on Wednesday night. Police have registered a total of 784 cases relating to the riot so far. The number of accused named in these cases stands at 11348, a senior police official told The Hindu on Friday.
Besides, the number of those not mentioned in the 784 First Information Reports registered till date was around 89000, the officer said. The police have been able to arrest only 700 persons and filed charge sheets in a few cases. Those listed as accused are still evading arrest by hiding in the forests during the day, sources said.
The cases registered relate to killings, murderous attacks, burning and damaging of houses, churches and prayer houses, and looting.
The district had witnessed attacks on Christians and their houses and places of worship soon after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati and four of his associates on August 23. A Catholic nun was also raped in the district on August 25.
The two cases pertaining to the murder of the VHP leader and the rape are being investigated by the Crime Branch of the State police, while the remaining cases are being handled by the 15 police stations spread across the district. Meanwhile, the State government has initiated steps to establish two fast track courts in Kandhamal for speedy disposal of the riot cases. The two courts are likely to be inaugurated in the first week of March.
BHUBANESWAR: The administration in strife-torn Kandhamal district of Orissa is now grappling with a crisis that had arisen in the wake of the recent anti-Christian violence. The district police now have around 800 riot-related cases to handle and hundreds of people wanted in these cases are now on the run.
While looking for those involved in the riot, the police are also struggling to maintain peace as sporadic attacks on Christians continue and Maoists expand their network and activities.
A 45-year-old man belonging to the minority community was hacked to death by a group in the Tikabali area of the district on Thursday, and armed Maoists attacked a forest beat house and took away five weapons on Wednesday night. Police have registered a total of 784 cases relating to the riot so far. The number of accused named in these cases stands at 11348, a senior police official told The Hindu on Friday.
Besides, the number of those not mentioned in the 784 First Information Reports registered till date was around 89000, the officer said. The police have been able to arrest only 700 persons and filed charge sheets in a few cases. Those listed as accused are still evading arrest by hiding in the forests during the day, sources said.
The cases registered relate to killings, murderous attacks, burning and damaging of houses, churches and prayer houses, and looting.
The district had witnessed attacks on Christians and their houses and places of worship soon after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Lakshmanananda Saraswati and four of his associates on August 23. A Catholic nun was also raped in the district on August 25.
The two cases pertaining to the murder of the VHP leader and the rape are being investigated by the Crime Branch of the State police, while the remaining cases are being handled by the 15 police stations spread across the district. Meanwhile, the State government has initiated steps to establish two fast track courts in Kandhamal for speedy disposal of the riot cases. The two courts are likely to be inaugurated in the first week of March.
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