In jail, Kandhmal riots accused gets BJP ticket

PHULBANI: Manoj Pradhan is the prime accused in last year's ethno-communal riots in Kandhmal and currently behind bars. But that hasn't stopped
BJP from giving a ticket to Pradhan to contest from the communally-split G Udayagiri assembly seat.

More than 600 people were arrested in connection with the violence that left over 40 people dead in Kandhmal after the killing of senior VHP leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati in August last year. Cops described Pradhan as a "prize catch". "Pradhan, in his 30s, was picked up from a lodge in Berhampur on October 15. Belonging to the tribal Kandh community, Pradhan was the field commander who allegedly led mobs at various places and engaged in violence," police said. "He (Pradhan) has been booked in over one dozen cases including murder and arson," police added. But the BJP disagrees.

"Pradhan has nothing to do with the riots and the administration has fabricated the charges against him. The whole purpose is to defame BJP," state party spokesperson Nayan Mohanty told TOI.

"Pradhan will file his nomination papers and contest the elections from inside the jail. There is nothing wrong with it because a number of leaders have done the same in the past. The polls will prove Pradhan's popularity," Mohanty added.

The saffron party's intention to hardsell its Hindutva agenda is also evident from its giving Lok Sabha ticket to Orissa Hindu Jagaran Sammukhya president Ashok Sahu, a retired IPS officer who blamed "Christian terrorists" for Saraswati's murder, from Kandhmal, which comprises three tribal Assembly segments of G Udayagiri, Phulbani and Baltiguda.

The BJP's move hasn't gone down well with over 3,000 Christians in five relief camps in Raikia, G Udayagiri and Tikabali blocks. Julian Digal is one such. It has been seven months since he escaped death and fled to a relief camp at Tikabali.

In between, the relief camp has been shifted while his wife and two children have moved out of Kandhmal district. But Julian refuses to return home before the elections are over. "We don't enjoy camp life, but we can't go back till the elections are over. Violence is a distinct possibility during the polls, but we can't afford to risk our lives," said Julian.

"We are scared to return to our villages. Although tension has come down, there will be elements who want to create fresh trouble for Christians during the elections. Hence, we would consider leaving the relief camp after the polls," said Dharmendra Pradhan of Katadi village in Gardingia panchayat. "During the peak of communal violence, around 25,000 people lived in the camps. Most of them have returned to their villages, but a few are still staying at the camps. They should return after the polls," a senior officer said.

Evidently, the polls have made the people feel even more vulnerable. While it's possible that Hindu and Christian groups could turn violent again, the entry of Maoists, especially to reignite the ethno-communal discord during the polls, could worsen the situation. "There could be attempts by certain groups to whip up communal passions during the polls. The Maoists' plan to target specific groups could also cause violence by tribals," a cop said.