Odisha Police accused of desecrating church,assaulting tribals during raid: Fact-finding team report
Gajapati: A fact-finding team consisting of seven advocates and a social activist has alleged serious misconduct by Odisha police, including the desecration of a church, assault on tribal women and minors, and destruction of property during a raid in Juba village, Mohana Tehsil, Gajapati district in late March.
The team visited the village on April 9 and reported that police personnel entered the church premises without a warrant, disrupted Sunday mass preparations by Kondh Adivasi women and children, and vandalised church property. The team claimed this is the first documented police attack on a Christian church in the state.
The incident reportedly occurred on March 22 and was allegedly linked to a raid concerning marijuana cultivation. According to the team, two young tribal women were assaulted inside the church and dragged to a police vehicle. Minor girls who sought help from priests were also affected. A Sabar tribal woman who intervened was allegedly beaten and had her clothes torn.
Further allegations include police transporting women and children from nearby villages and abandoning them at a distance, seizing mobile phones which remain unreturned, and violating provisions under various laws, including the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act.
The report also claims that two Catholic priests were physically assaulted and falsely accused of illegal religious conversions, with one sustaining serious injuries. Additionally, Rs 40,000 was allegedly taken from their residence. Several homes were ransacked, with reports of damaged motorcycles, household goods, and food supplies.
The fact-finding team emphasised the socio-economic vulnerability of the region. Gajapati district ranks low on the Human Development Index, with high tribal and Christian populations, low literacy rates—especially among women—and poor infrastructure. Mohana block, where the alleged incident occurred, is one of Odisha’s most underdeveloped areas.
Despite the seriousness of the allegations, no First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered even 20 days after the incident. Complaints have reportedly been submitted to the Superintendent of Police, but no formal response has been received.
The team attributed the violence to communal and caste-based bias within the police force and called for legal action under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, the POCSO Act, and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023. Recommendations included diversifying police recruitment, mandatory human rights training, and increased media attention on violations affecting marginalised communities.
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CM Siddaramaiah alleges ‘criminal conspiracy’ in Sringeri recount, vows legal action
Bengaluru (PTI): Alleging a “criminal conspiracy” by BJP candidate D N Jeevaraj in the Sringeri Assembly poll recounting, Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said the outcome was manipulated after valid postal ballot votes in favour of Congress leader T D Raje Gowda were tampered with during the recounting process.
Following a Karnataka High Court order on an election petition filed by Jeevaraj, challenging Raje Gowda’s election, the reverification and recounting were conducted on Saturday.
After the reverification and recount of postal ballots for the Sringeri Assembly constituency, votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda were reduced by 255, the returning officer said.
A report on the matter has been submitted to the Election Commission of India for further action, the officer added.
Congress leader Raje Gowda had won the 2023 Assembly polls from Sringeri by 201 votes, defeating his nearest rival Jeevaraj.
Addressing a press conference in Bengaluru, Siddaramaiah said the High Court had directed the recounting of postal ballots and that irregularities were noticed during the exercise conducted on May 2.
“This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” Siddaramaiah said, alleging that valid votes cast in favour of Raje Gowda were altered after being accepted by counting agents of all parties, including Congress, BJP, and JD(S).
He claimed that during the recounting of postal ballots, 255 votes were initially accepted as valid by all agents but were later tampered with by subordinate officials.
“There is a second mark on the votes polled in favour of Raje Gowda. They had accepted these as valid votes. Subsequently, another mark was made by officials. This is a clear case of criminal conspiracy,” he said.
When asked who was behind the alleged conspiracy, the CM replied, “It was hatched by Jeevaraj and others. It is planned.”
Siddaramaiah further alleged that the returning officer acted improperly by declaring the result despite the presence of an Election Commission observer during the recounting.
“Immediately after the counting, the returning officer announced the result. He should not have done so; this is against the law,” he said.
He pointed out that Raje Gowda had originally won by 201 votes, but after the recounting, the BJP candidate was declared the winner by 52 votes.
“The BJP has committed a criminal act of conspiracy. This is not vote chori but vote dacoity,” he alleged.
The CM said a police complaint had already been filed by Raje Gowda’s election agent, Sudhir Kumar, and emphasised the need for electoral integrity.
“We want transparency and free and fair elections. That is what our Constitution mandates,” he added.
Stating that the government would pursue legal remedies, Siddaramaiah said, “We are preparing an appeal challenging the returning officer’s announcement in a court of law.”
Responding to a separate query on elections in other states, the CM said there appeared to be an anti-incumbency factor in West Bengal, while results in Tamil Nadu were “surprising,” adding that Vijay’s party was emerging as the largest there.
Following the victory of party candidates in Bagalkote and Davanagere South, Siddaramaiah expressed confidence about future electoral prospects in Karnataka.
“Even in 2028, we will win the Assembly elections. We will come back,” the CM said.
Siddaramaiah added that he would order a forensic examination into the alleged tampering of postal ballots.
