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The
Orissa police on Friday dismissed claims of Sangh
Parivar linking Christians in the murder of a Hindu
activist in Kandhamal, March 18.
After initiating the investigation on the murder of
Pravat Panigrahi, Orissa state authorites warned saffron
groups to refrain from targeting the Christians for the
crime.
Referring to the August 23 violence on Christians that
was sparked by the murder of VHP leader Laxmananda
Saraswati, DGP Manmohan Praharaj said, "A number of
senior Maoist leaders had earlier claimed responsibility
of killing VHP leader Saraswati.”
Stating that Naxals were not necessarily Christians, he
said, “Ashutosh, Adzad and Sabyascachi Panda, the
Maoists arrested for Saraswati's killing, are not
Christians. So, it is not justified to come to a
conclusion that Christians killed Saraswati.”
The slain RSS leader was one of 14 local leaders who
were named on a hit-list released by Maoists.
He was earlier arrested for his involvement in the
attacks on Christians. He was murdered five days after
being released on bail.
The BJP meanwhile demanded a CBI inquiry into the
killing. “BJP demands CBI inquiry into the killing of
Prabhat Panigrahi," party spokes-person Prakash
Javadekar said.
Javadekar doubts "whether the killers are Naxalite or
Christians under the guise of Naxalites." Pointing
Christians, he said, "Panigrahi was eliminated as he
knew the conspiracy to kill Saraswati.”
Union home minister P. Chidambaram has taken serious
note over the “communal conflict” and the Naxals menace
in Kandhamal district.
He asked the Orissa govt to remain alert to maintain
peace and communal harmony.
After his visit to review the security in the state, the
Minister said, the Centre would provide adequate
security forces to protect the people as well as to
ensure a free and fair election. (CT)
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