Date:08/04/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/04/08/stories/2008040860021300.htm

National

Order against church relief stayed

Legal Correspondent

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday stayed a Orissa High Court judgment upholding an order passed by the Kandhamal Collector asking all religious institutions and NGOs not to carry out relief works in areas affected by communal violence in December 2007.

A Bench consisting of Justices H.K. Sema and Markandey Katju stayed the January 28 judgment on a special leave petition by Cuttack Archbishop Raphel Cheenath and issued notice to the Centre and the State.

The SLP alleged that on December 24, 2007, communal organisations brutally attacked Christians, destroyed 68 churches and 500 houses and looted property.

Six persons were killed hundreds of families fled fearing attack.

The government was silent on providing relief and rehabilitation to the riot victims. In a few cases, the government paid a maximum relief of Rs. 10,000 to a family.

The Collector passed an order that no religious or non-governmental organisation should undertake relief work. The High Court rejected a petition assailing this order.