Thousands of victims of the 2008 communal riots gathered here on Wednesday to observe the Kandhamal Harmony Day which was organised by the Kandhamal Nyaya Shanti and Sadhbhana Samaj.
They took out a peace procession in the morning to mark the completion of six years of the communal violence in the district. The victims are still suffering from various socio-economic constrains.
The speakers who addressed included well known social activist Medha Patkar, women activist and national leader of CPI Annie Raja, activist Subhasini Ali, Roy David of National Adivasi Alliance, cultural activists Charul and Vinay from Gujarat, Tapasi Praharaj and Fr Ajay Singh.
They insisted on the need for justice to the victims and survivors through proper rehabilitation. A memorandum demanding appropriate legal action against all culprits who are responsible for violence in Kandhamal was sent to the President of India.
Besides, the people also sought protection of faith, culture, language, value and religion of all communities, stern action against politicians and organisations that incited the riot and complete package for dropout children, widows, elderly persons and orphans for their sustainable development.