India: Medha Patkar seeks high level probe in Kandhamal riots

Business Standard

Medha Patkar seeks high level probe in Kandhamal riots
Press Trust of India | Phulbani(Odisha)
August 27, 2014

Seeking a high level probe into the 2008 riots in Odisha's Kandhamal district, social activist Medha Patkar today said she will draw the President's attention on the nominal compensation given to the victims.

"A high level probe should be ordered to find out the real causes of the riots in Kandhamal," Patkar said while addressing a gathering organised by Kandhamal District Peace and Harmony Society, a forum of Kandhamal riot victims and Dalits.

Stating that the government should ensure there was no repeat of such unfortunate incidents, Patkar said communal riots were against humanity and civilization.

A delegation would soon meet the President to apprise him about the lapses in handling the post-riot situation, particularly the measures taken by the state government for relief and rehabilitation of the victimised Dalit families, she said.

CPI leader Annie Raja and CPI(M) leader Subhasini Ali were among others who addressed the gathering.

Prior to the meeting, about 2,000 members of the Society and Dalit Christians held a silent rally and submitted an 8-point of charter of demands to the Collector Dr N T Nayak.

Security was beefed up in the Phulbani town in view of the event, Pravat Kumar Panigrahi, SDPO, Phulbani said.