Author: PTI
Publication: The Times of India
Date: November 5, 2009
URL: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Maoists-killed-Saraswati-to-get-support-from-Christians-/articleshow/5200736.cms
Maoists might have killed VHP leader Laxamananda
Saraswati for securing support of the minority Christians and expand their
network in Orissa's Kandhamal district, the Commission probing the murder
was informed here today.
"Maoists might have killed Saraswati
to get the support of Christians," former Inspector in-Charge of Kotgarh
police station H K Pradhan told Justice S C Mohapatra, probing the killing
of Saraswati and the violence thereafter.
Noting that the minority community in Kandhamal
was not accepting Saraswati's campaign against cow slaughter and religious
conversion, the field level officer said many houses were set ablaze and some
churches attacked in Kotgarh area a day after the killing of Saraswati on
August 23, 2008.
Though no case relating to conversion was
registered at the police station, Pradhan said seven people were arrested
for rioting and arson. "Land dispute between tribal Kandhas and Pana
Dalits added fuel to the riot." he said.
He claimed though a riot broke out in Kotgarh
area, the police were not armed as all weapons were withdrawn from the police
station.
