Orissa says no compensation for churches

NEW DELHI: The BJD-BJP coalition government on Monday told the Supreme Court that compensation cannot be granted to churches demolished during the anti-Christian violence in Orissa. Compensation to the religious institutions is against the secular policy of the state, it said.

In an affidavit, the Navin Patnaik led government said: ���That compensation towards religious institutions is not coming (does not come) under the secular policy of Orissa government.��� ���The suggestion of the Archbishop (petitioner) to sanction a sum of Rs three crore to compensate demolition of churches and destruction of properties during the violence is not acceptable.���

The state also opposed the need for the Centre���s report to ascertain organisations and individuals responsible for the anti-Christian violence in Kandhamal district. It said that a commission of inquiry headed by a retired high court judge had already been set up in this regard.

The government rejected the plea for a CBI probe into the rape of a nun, claiming that the crime branch had made substantial progress into the investigation. It is being monitored at the highest level and cooperation was needed from the victim, it said.

���The crime branch, which is investigating into the case has made substantial progress. Eight accused persons have been arrested on the basis of available evidence,��� the government said in its affidavit. There was delay of a day in registration of FIR in the case as the nun refused to file it immediately on August 25, as she wanted to consult an advocate.