Bhubaneswar – Cuttack Archbishop John Barva on Wednesday said the Supreme Court action on the release of more than 3,000 persons convicted in the Kandhamal massacre, the largest massacre of Christians in independent India, is unconditional. In an interview with Asia News, he expressed deep disappointment over the lack of justice in the Kandhamal massacre that has claimed the lives of more than 100 Christians. The Metropolitan pointed out that only about 79 persons were convicted in the case of which nearly 6,000 were arrested or surrendered.
The Supreme Court issued its verdict on Saturday, acquitting more than 3,000 persons, along with the findings of the local state government. “We are very disappointed. We have asked the court to punish all those involved in the massacre so that such incidents do not recur.” We are sad that the accused were acquitted. ” Said the Metropolitan. He added that he would never stop fighting for justice.
Following the assassination of Swami Lakshmanananda Saraswati, the leader of the Vishwa Hindu Parishad in the Kandhamal district of Odisha in 2008, Hindu communalists launched a riot against the Christians, shocking the world’s conscience. The Maoists claimed responsibility for the killing, but claimed to be Christians behind the killing. In the riots that claimed the lives of more than 100 Christians, churches and church establishments were extensively destroyed. A total of 6594 people have been arrested in connection with the massacre, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Odisha said in a statement.
When the cases related to the massacre reached Kodai, the proceedings in 342 cases were canceled and the accused in 263 cases acquitted. 170 cases are still pending. On the basis of the statements made by the victims, the state government has left 315 cases pending before the court. The Metropolitan Supreme Court has also directed the local authorities to appoint a special team to investigate cases where the victims cannot be found guilty. At least 120 people were killed in the violence, 8,000 houses burned and 40 women, including a nun, were raped.
