Wed, 03/02/2010 - 4:17pm Protests against EU team's Kandhamal visit, five held

Protests against EU team's Kandhamal visit, five held
3 Feb 2010, 1248 hrs IST, ET Bureau

BHUBANESWAR: Five Bajrang Dal activists have been held for staging protests against a European Union (EU) delegation that will visit Orissa's

Kandhamal district to interact with riot victims.

The Bajrang Dal workers were detained on Tuesday evening from the airport here, police said.

The slogans began shortly after the 11-member EU delegation, which is scheduled to visit Kandhamal district on Thursday, landed in Bhubaneswar. The team was whisked away from the airport amidst tight security while the protesters were nabbed.

The EU delegation is scheduled to meet senior state officials on Wednesday before heading to Kandhamal, about 200 km from here.

The district had witnessed widespread violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram on Aug 23, 2008.

The VHP, Bajrang Dal has demanded that the visit be scrapped as it could create fresh tension in the region that is now returning to normalcy.

Wed, 03/02/2010 - 10:50pm Fact sheet for EU’ Team-in Orissa

Fact sheet for EU’ Team,
03.02.2010 at 16.00hrs
ORISSA MINORITY FORUM
& KANDHMAL

ADVOCACY:
In the midst of shock and silence after the brutal killing
of Hindu Swami , Christian priests ,Rape of Nuns , violence perpetuated on thousands of innocent people in Kandhmal, Gajpati and other districts of Orissa
ORISSA MINORITY FORUM from 24th morning of August 2008
Publicly condemned, strongly pursued the Central and State Governments
for quick law & order restoration and
created National & International concern through Mass Media.

RELIEF & REHABILITATION :
1. FIRST Relief Camp for 892 Kandhmal’violence affected people conducted at YMCA Bhubaneswar for 101 Days from 28th AUGUST 2008 supported by Civil Society & Government.
2. Home Needs support programme during December 2008 and January 2009 in Mandakia Panchayat of Raikia Block [worst affected] for 50 Villages covering 3000 Homes conducted.
3. Trauma Counseling programme in Jan-Feb 2009 for affected 100 youths at YMCA BACK-HOME counseling strategy.
4. VOCATIONAL SUPPORT to 100 youths at YMCA started [from mid 2009 and continues] by providing MOTOR-DRIVING Training in batches .supported by Maruti Company and the License Fee covered by YMCA.
5. FOLLOW UP programme for YMCA’ Campers back in Kandhmal.