Civil bodies demand justice for K’mal riot victims

--to hold convention on Aug 25 in city

BHUBANESWAR: Civil bodies like National Solidarity Forum (NSF), Odisha Forum for Social Action, Civil Society for Human Rights, IPTA, People Solidarity Concern and political activists would organise a citizens’ convention on August 25 demanding justice for the Kandhamal riot victims. 

The convention would raise the issues including rehabilitation of riot victims in a democratic way and demand stringent action against the culprits involved in the communal violence. The civil bodies would also demand the Government to order a probe by the Special Investigation Probe (SIT) in order to arrest the real culprits. 

NSF’s Pradipta Nayak said the purpose of the convention is to create awareness among people for peace, communal harmony and to generate further pressure on duty bearers to understand their responsibility, to make the people understand the danger of fascism and to strengthen the morale of survivors on democracy. 

Intellectuals and activists like All India Progressive Women’s Association secretary Kavita Krishnan, noted human rights activist Harsh Mander, CPI leader Annie Raja, CPI (M) central leader Suhasini Alli, Janardhan Pati and about 500 people including survivors of the riot would participate in the convention.