National

Left seeks President’s intervention

NEW DELHI: Left Party MPs on Thursday urged President Pratibha Patil to intervene in Orissa and protect the lives and property of Christians, a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation into the killings and action against the Bajrang Dal.

The delegation that comprised Brinda Karat, Tapan Sen, Gurudas Dasgupta and D. Raja briefed the President about their visit to Orissa earlier this week.

Mr. Dasgupta told The Hindu that the delegation was prevented by the State government from visiting Kandhamal. On the contrary, the government permitted Vishwa Hindu Parishad leader Praveen Togadia in the area, he said.

As the State government had failed to protect the lives of the minority community, the Centre should step in and send the Army to restore law and order.

A CBI probe should also cover the killing of Swami Lakshmanananda that sparked the violence, he said adding that the President should also ensure that permission was not accorded to the an “ashes rally” by Mr. Togadia.

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