Minorities panel seeks details of trials

BHUBANESWAR: Even as a national people’s tribunal castigated the Odisha Government for the Kandhamal riots and the subsequent trial process recently, the National Commission for Minorities (NCM) took up  the issue with the latter on Thursday.The NCM took stock of the progress of rehabilitation measures and status of trial of criminal cases in the aftermath of the violence through video conferencing with Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik.The Government informed the Commission that care had been taken for prosecution of criminal cases. So far, 827 criminal cases have been registered, out of which 512 cases charge-sheeted. As many as 361 persons in 65 cases have already been convicted.While 321 cases are still under trial, the State Government has appointed two commissions under retired judges of the Odisha High Court to examine all the details of cases. Special prosecutors have also been engaged to deal with the cases. The commission expressed satisfaction over the rehabilitation measures and asked for details of the cases, including the causes of conviction and acquittal.   The review revealed that ex gratia of  Rs 2 lakh each has been disbursed to families of all 38 persons who died in the violence. Similarly, all eligible victims have been provided  Rs 3 lakh each under the Central Scheme for Assistance to Victims of Terrorist and Communal Violence. Apart from providing land to the landless persons for agricultural purposes under the Odisha Government Land Settlement Act, the Odisha Prevention of Land Encroachment Act and the Forest Rights Act, the Government extended house building assistance to 4,821 families for reconstruction and repair of their dwellings. Similarly, as many as 225 religious institutions, irrespective of the status of land where they are located, have been sanctioned  Rs 53.70 lakh for reconstruction, the Chief Secretary informed the Commission. Financial assistance of  Rs 6.3 lakh has also been sanctioned to 12 damaged public institutions. Financial assistance has been extended to shop owners whose shops were damaged during the violence and farmers have benefited from Rs 12.25 crore loan waiver. The Government also informed that special package for overall socio-economic development of the area has been announced to focus on strengthening social security network, livelihood opportunities, establishment of training institutes for improving jobs chances of youth, educational institutions, health services and communication infrastructure.