Supreme Court seeks report from Orissa Govt. on Kandhamal Violence

The Supreme Court has directed the Orissa government to submit a detailed report on what steps were taken to protect the lives of people belonging to Christian community in riot-hit Kandhamal district by Thursday. The SC also asked the Orissa government to file an affidavit whether any permission was granted to VHP leader Praveen Togadia for his proposed yatra carrying the ashes of late Swami Laxmananda Saraswati.

The SC issued the directive on a petition filed by Archbishop of Cuttack Raphael Cheenath. A bench headed by CJI Mr. KG Balakrishnan is hearing the case. the peitioner alleged that the proposed yatra by the VHP has caused more trouble in the area and may vitiate the atmosphere. He urged the SC to put a complete ban on VHP's proposed yatra. Meanwhile, the VHP has announced that it would go ahead with the proposed yatra carrying the soil from Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati's samadhi at Chakapada Ashram in Kandhamal district.