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The protest march, which started from Holy Cross church after passing through different areas of the city concluded at Mini Secretariat. The Christian leaders submitted a memorandum to the President and the Prime Minister and demanded a CBI inquiry into the violence.
They demanded deployment of central para-military forces in adequate strength in all the affected and sensitive places in Orissa to prevent any further recurrence of the violence as the local police, they contended, was unable to control the situation. They also demanded “impartial and proper assessment” of the damage caused to the property and various churches there.
They said that adequate compensation should be provided as early as possible to restore the confidence of the people in the administration.
A compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the next of the kin of the martyrs and Rs 5 lakh to those injured be given immediately, they said while demanding severe punishment for the culprits.
The leaders said that a fact-finding committee comprising various church leaders and representatives has been constituted and is visiting the affected areas to take stock of the situation and console the victims of families. The leaders urged the government to provide them with police protection during their visit.
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