Maoist threat to BJP legislator in Orissa’s Kandhamal

ThaIndian News , June 4th, 2009 , Bhubaneswar, least two posters warning a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator and Bajrang Dal activists of dire consequences for having allegedly fuelled last year’s communal violence have been found in Orissa’s Kandhamal district

The posters are suspected to have been put up by Maoist rebels, police said Thursday.


The posters warning that BJP’s Manoj Pradhan and three Bajrang Dal workers would be killed soon were found Wednesday in the Raikia area of Kandhamal, about 200 km from here, District Superintendent of Police S. Praveen Kumar told IANS.

Police have tightened security at the jail in G. Udayagiri, where Pradhan is imprisoned for his alleged involvement in the communal violence.

The district witnessed widespread communal violence after the murder of Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his aides at his ashram Aug 23 last year.

While the police blamed Maoists for the killings, some Hindu organisations alleged Christians were behind the crime and launched attacks on the community.

At least 38 people were killed and over 25,000 Christians forced to flee after their houses were attacked by rampaging mobs in the aftermath of the attack on Saraswati. Nearly 2,500 people are still living in government relief camps.

Although no violence has been reported from the region since October last year, police believe the posters may have been plastered by the rebels to disturb peace.

The BJP Thursday said the rebels had attacked Dilu Pradhan, a Bajrang Dal activist, a few days ago.

“The rebels have prepared a hit list that has the names of at least 14 people associated with the BJP and VHP,” a BJP leader said.