Bhubaneswar: National Human Rights
Commission today directed the Orissa government to submit a
detailed report on the steps taken in the aftermath of the
2008 Kandhamal communal riots.
"The Commission has directed the state government to
submit a report and a contingency plan to deal with such
situation," NHRC Chairperson Justice K G Balakrishnan told
reporters here.
Stating that the Commission during its two-day sitting
in the state capital took up the Kandhamal violence issue and
related human rights violation cases with state officials,
Justice Balakrishnan said he had been informed by the DGP that
many of the accused had so far been convicted.
Of the total 828 cases filed at different police
stations relating to Kandhamal riots, convictions have taken
place in 56 cases.
"Since the process of conviction is on, the police
expect more accused to be punished soon," a NHRC member said.
Besides the killing of 38 people, the communal
violence had left 4,000 houses damaged and forced over 25,000
people to flee Kandhamal district.
The Commission had received several cases of human
rights violation, the member said, adding that the NHRC sought
report from the state government.
During an interaction with officials, the rights body
said that the victims should be provided with compensation
without much delay.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, January 19, 2011, 22:48