Civil bodies to hold convention in city on Aug 25
Civil bodies like the National Solidarity Forum (NSF), Odisha Forum for Social Action, Civil Society for Human Rights, IPTA and People Solidarity Concern and political activists would organise a citizens’ convention here on August 25 demanding justice for the Kandhamal riot victims.
The convention would raise the issues like rehabilitation of the victims in a democratic way and demand stringent action against the culprits involved in the communal violence. It would also demand that the Government order a probe by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to arrest the real culprits at the earliest.
NSF’s Pradipta Nayak said the purpose of the convention is to create awareness among people for peace and communal harmony and exert 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.
Intellectuals and activists like All India Progressive Women’s Association secretary Kavita Krishnan, noted human rights activist Harsh Mander, CPI leader Annie Raja, central CPI(M) leader Suhasini Ali, Janardhan Pati and about 500 people including survivors of the riot would participate in the convention.