New Delhi, Oct 7 (PTI) With demands for centre's intervention in communal violence-hit Orissa growing, the issue is likely to figure at the meeting of the Union Cabinet tomorrow.
Home Minister Shivraj Patil is expected to brief the Cabinet, to be chaired by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, about the situation in Orissa which has witnessed attacks on Christians for several days.
The Cabinet is meeting amid growing demands for "stringent action" against the BJD-BJP government of Orissa and a ban on Bajrang Dal.
At the last Cabinet meeting on October 3, the Prime Minister had spoken about the embarrassment he had faced over the incidents during his visit to France. He had sought a report from the Home Minister about the situation in Orissa as also Karnataka, where similar incidents were witnessed.
Patil has since written a strongly-worded letter to Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and spoken to Governor M C Bhandare seeking a report on the situation.
There have been demands, including from some Union Ministers, for Centre's intervention in the state.
Patil's move to seek a report from the Governor and strong letter to Chief Minister to take effective measures to ensure security to the Christians has fuelled speculation that the Centre may take the extreme step of imposition of President's rule in the state.
The Centre also warned the BJP-ruled Karnataka to be "more careful" and maintain peace and normalcy in the state.
Parts of Karnataka have witnessed a series of attacks on churches and members of the Christian community by alleged activists of sangh parivar outfits. PTI
Wednesday, October 08, 2008
Cabinet meet tomorrow, Orissa may figure
