BJP criticises permission for EU team’s Kandhamal visit

BHUBANESWAR - The Bharatiya Janata Party’s (BJP) Orissa unit Saturday criticised both the union and state governments for permitting an European Union (EU) delegation to visit the Kandhamal district where at least 38 people were killed during a communal riots in 2008.

“The EU delegates had by design gone to the district to divide the people on ethnic lines. They violated diplomatic protocol by trying to meet the judges of the fast track courts who were holding hearings of the sensitive cases of the violence,” Jual Oram, president of the state unit, told reporters.

“We appeal to the Supreme Court to take cognisance and take action against the foreign delegates and the state and central government officials who assisted them,” he said.

Kandhamal, about 200 km from here, witnessed widespread violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23, 2008.

More than 25,000 Christians were forced to flee their homes after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs, which held Christians responsible for Saraswati’s killing, although police blamed the Maoists.

An 11-member European Union (EU) team led by Christophe Manet, counsellor (head of political affairs) European Commission delegation to India, visited the riot-hit area of the district Thursday and interacted with victims.

The proposed meeting of the team with judges of a fast track court in Phulbani, the district headquarters of Kandhamal, Friday was cancelled after it was opposed by the local lawyers association.

“Events in Kandhamal had their impact in Europe. Our visit is a reflection of the concern,” a member of the team that comprises representatives from Spain, Hungary, Poland, Ireland, Finland, Sweden and Britain had told reporters during their trip.