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Kandhamal still lives on edge, peace
not in sight
WSN Network
 KANDHAMAL:
From outside, the situation appears normal in Orissa’s Kandhamal
district, which witnessed large-scale anti-Christian violence five
months ago. But interaction with locals and administration officials
makes it clear that the divide on the lines of religion, caste and
political affiliations was hampering restoration of peace.
Although life turned a bit normal with the opening of some
schools and colleges, distrust among those belonging to different
religions and supporting different political parties, and Kui
tribals and Dalit Panas continues to be conspicuous. Such was the
level of fear that virtually no one was ready to divulge his
identity.
In relief camps, most have lost all hope of returning to
their villages. “We are not able to go back to rebuild our homes as
Vishwa Hindu Parishad activists have been reiterating that we should
convert to Hinduism if we want to return to our village or else
leave Kandhamal for good,” said 60-year-old Bitaliya Digal of
Toparbali, who is staying with his family members at the Tikabali
camp.
More than 25,000 people took shelter in different relief
camps in the district when communal violence was at its peak. The
riots broke out after the killing of VHP leader Lakshmanananda
Saraswati on August 23 last.
But a vast majority of those who were in these camps left the
district, while a few hundred families returned to their villages.
Many of those who returned to their villages reconverted to
Hinduism.
Despite heavy deployment of Central Reserve Police Force
personnel, many people are apprehensive that the situation could
turn worse in the run-up to the Assembly and Lok Sabha polls.
More than 30 companies of Central paramilitary forces are now
on duty in Kandhamal and the administration is trying its best to
maintain this level until after the elections are over. But locals
are of the view that tension will continue in Kandhamal for many
more months to come.
4
February 2009
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