Rio knocks on Orissa CM’s door

Dimapur, August 30 (MExN): Nagaland Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has urged Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to intervene in the Orissa communal violence and to take necessary action to protect the lives and properties of minorities in the latter’s  state.
 In a letter addressed to the Orissa CM, Neiphiu Rio expressed deep concern and anguish at the atrocities being perpetrated against the Christian community and the damage to Christian institutions. Making particular reference to the district of Kandhmal, the Nagaland CM reminded his Orissa counterpart on the imperativeness of a swift and timely action against the religious fundamentalists who are mindlessly targeting innocent people and properties. “Religious intolerance has no place in a secular country like ours. I strongly urge you to take all necessary actions to protect the lives and properties of the religious minorities in your State” Rio reminded his Orissa counterpart.
In a separate press release received from the Nagaland chief minister, Rio today urged all right-thinking citizens to condemn the ‘inhuman and uncivilized attacks that are being perpetrated against Christians and Christian institutions in the country especially in Orissa’.  It is highly disturbing to observe that innocent Christians continue to be targeted regularly by religious fundamentalists, Rio said. “While condemning these attacks, I urge the Government of India, the state government of Orissa and all agencies in concern to address this crisis with stern action and take all necessary measures to extend security and safety to the Christian minorities and all Christian institutions” Rio said.
India is a secular country that guarantees freedom of religion to every citizen but unfortunately innocents are being killed, harmed and institutions being destroyed and damaged on religious grounds, he said. “The secular forces of the country must join hands to ensure that intolerance of the religious fundamentalists are overcome sooner than latter. I extend my sympathies and concern to all affected families and pray to Almighty God to comfort them in this hour of suffering” the chief minister added.

 

Nagaland BJP wants “good clarification”

Dimapur, August 30 (MExN): The Nagaland BJP chief MC Konyak on Friday sought “a good clarification” from the BJP central command over the ongoing communal violence in Orissa. The state BJP chief, in his letter to the National BJP president Rajnath Singh, claimed “we do not know the exact cause of that particular incidence”. MC Konyak even took to stating that the Media has projected the “incidence between the Hindus and Christians which is harmful and non-conclusive for our party”.  The Nagaland BJP also remarked national Media to be “pointing accusation to the national BJP party”. He claimed that the BJP is the only national party to “solicit” support and favor of “all sections of people irrespective of caste, creed and religion”. For this reason, MC Konyak has sought “a good clarification’ to “clear doubt” about our party ideology “for the nation”.