The Fact Finding Committee, constituted by the Justice On Trial (JoT), an Ahmedabad based NGO, has suggested to enlarge the scope of the Commission of Inquiry constituted by the Orissa Government to inquire into the Kandhamal incident in Orissa, to include the incidents, background of the incident and the role of the administration/police forces as well as the role of the persons who may be enlisted as responsible for the incident including the Maoists. ?Matter should also be inquired into from the angle of inflow of funds from foreign countries and its alleged utilisation for conversions,? the report said further suggesting to increase the compensation to the victims.
The Committee included Additional Advocate General of Rajasthan Sardar G.S. Gill (chairman), former Director General of Punjab Police Shri P.C. Dogra (member), former member of National Commission for Women Smt. Nafisa Hussein (member), Social activist of Ahmedabad Captain M.K. Andhare (member) and social engineer from Gandhinagar Shri Ram Kishor Pasari (member). The Committee visited Phulbani, Baliguda, Barakhama, Budaguda, Ghumikia, Gadapur, Daringbari, Dasingbari, Brahmnigaon, Kinnarigaon etc. on January 18, 19 and 20 and assessed the loss and the quantum of relief.
The Committee said the deployment of para-military forces should continue for some time and in the meantime the efforts should be made at the social level to restore the amicable relations between the various sects of the society. The Committee further said the matter should also be inquired into from the angle of encroachments/possession on the land of Vanvasi people by non-Vanvasi people and a Commission should also be appointed to inquire into the matter: (a) whether ?Kui? is a language or a caste / sub-caste, (b) whether ?Kui? should be deleted from entry no. 31 of the List of Scheduled Tribes, (c) whether Panas of Kandhamal should be considered as a Vanvasi. The Committee also suggested effective measures of development, including education, employment and infrastructure, of Kandhamal district.
(VSK, Gujarat)
