Kandhamal yet to get justice, says tribunal

Phili Behra Patra (35) called Kandhamal, his native district, as the world’s “most dangerous place”. A victim of Hindu-Christian clashes in Orissa that first broke out in 2007, Patra has still been unable to return home, fearing for his life.

Phili Behra Patra (35) called Kandhamal, his native district, as the world’s “most dangerous place”.

HT Image

A victim of Hindu-Christian clashes in Orissa that first broke out in 2007, Patra has still been unable to return home, fearing for his life.

Patra spoke to HT on the sidelines of a verdict by a people’s tribunal comprising prominent Indians on Thursday. The tribunal summed up his situation, saying justice has eluded Khandhamal’s riot victims.

“They continue to be intimidated, denied protection and access to justice,” the jury said, recommending stronger state protection to survivors and witnesses.

The 12-member public jury on Kandhamal, headed by former chief justice of Delhi High Court, A.P. Shah, recommended re-examination of FIRs, saying cases of sexual assault remained under-reported due to “fear and intimidation”.

“Most victims cannot return to their villages unless they re-convert (from Christianity to Hinudism),”Justice Shah said.

“It is clear to us that there was deliberate strategy of targeting the community, fed by groups of Hindutva ideology, such as the RSS, VHP, Bajrang Dal and active members of BJP,” Shah added.