CPI seeks resignation of Patnaik Govt

Accusing the Naveen Patnaik Govt of being responsible for the failure of law and order in Orissa, the CPI demanded its immediate resignation.

Accusing the Naveen Patnaik government of being responsible for the failure of law and order in Orissa, the CPI today demanded its immediate resignation saying it was "colluding" in the spread of anarchy in the state.

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CPI's central secretariat while observing that the BJD-BJP government was "wholly responsible for this jungle raj", demanded its resignation for "its collusion in the spread of anarchy", saying the minority communities are not feeling safe under it.

Announcing that it would hold a massive peace dharna in Bhubaneshwar on September one along with CPI(M) and NCP, the CPI rued that the state administration had allowed VHP leader Pravin Togadia to visit the affected area but not the Union Minister of State for Home and other political parties.

The party also maintained that the situation was "grim", and claimed that under the cover of a bandh, "armed gangs of VHP-BJP and Bajrang Dal hooligans are roaming throughout the districts indulging in a spree of arson and loot, demolishing scores of churches, vandalising schools, orphanages run by missions and burning alive members of the Christian community".

The CPI said this had become the standard practice of these elements who had earlier burnt alive Graham Staines and his two children. "Over 30 people, including a Hindu woman working as a cook in the orphanage, have been killed," the party said.

It demanded deployment of paramilitary forces and army units in the affected areas of Kandhamal and Bargharh districts to quell violence by rampaging mobs.