NHRC directs Orissa to report on Kandhamal violence

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.

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.

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"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.