VZCZCXRO5865
PP RUEHAST RUEHBI RUEHLH RUEHPW
DE RUEHCI #0285/01 2750937
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
P R 010937Z OCT 08
FM AMCONSUL KOLKATA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC PRIORITY 2157
INFO RHEHAAA/NSC WASHINGTON DC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RHHJJPI/PACOM IDHS HONOLULU HI
RUCNCLS/ALL SOUTH AND CENTRAL ASIA COLLECTIVE
RUEHCI/AMCONSUL KOLKATA 2636

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KOLKATA 000285 
 
SENSITIVE 
SIPDIS 
 
STATE FOR DRL (MORALES) 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM IN
SUBJECT: KANDHAMAL CONTINUES TO SMOLDER; CHANGING TREND IN VIOLENCE 
OBSERVED 
 
REF: A. NEW DELHI 2498 
     ¶B. KOLKATA 252 
     ¶C. KOLKATA 247 
     ¶D. KOLKATA 002 
 
KOLKATA 00000285  001.2 OF 002 
 
 
¶1. (SBU) Summary:  Stringent measures employed by government 
forces in Kandhamal District in Orissa to quell the recent 
communal violence have created a backlash, with attacks now 
focused on the police.  In Meghalaya on September 29, former 
Deputy Prime Minister and BJP leader L.K. Advani for the first 
time condemned the violence against Christians and made 
assurances to local religious leaders.  While sporadic attacks 
are still occurring against Christians in relief camps and 
elsewhere in Kandhamal, we see indications that the Maoist 
Naxalites are taking advantage of the chaotic situation by 
organizing Kandh tribals and police victims in protests against 
the government.  End Summary. 
 
Kandhamal Violence Continues 
 
¶2. (U) Five weeks after gunmen in Kandhamal district, Orissa, 
killed Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati and four of his associates, 
scattered incidents of violence continue.  Due to pressure from 
the central government to restore law and order, police over the 
past month have arrested more than 200 Kandh tribals for 
involvement in the violence in Kandhamal.  On September 16, the 
Orissa government decided to further strengthen security around 
police stations after a mob of approximately 500 tribals killed 
a constable and set fire to the Gochhapada police station.  On 
September 13, two people were killed in the area of Tumudibandh, 
Kandhamal, after security personnel opened fire on a mob after 
they were fired upon for trying to disperse them. 
 
¶3.  (SBU) Tribal anger at the arrests also spilled over on 
September 23, when about 500 mostly female demonstrators came to 
the Raikia police station in Kandhamal and demanded the release 
of two tribals who had been arrested on charges of rioting.  The 
crowd demanded that the government lift the curfew and 
prohibitory orders under Section 144 and immediately arrest the 
killers of Saraswati.  The mob turned violent and attacked the 
police station and security personnel.  The media reports that 
police initially tried to disperse the crowd using mild force 
and baton-charges, but when this was unsuccessful, the police 
fired on the crowd injuring two persons, killing one. 
Thirty-two others, including security personnel, were injured by 
the mob. 
 
¶4. (SBU) On September 26, Poloff spoke with Orissa Deputy 
Secretary (Home), Mr. K.C. Sarangi,  who claimed that 39 
companies (each comprised of approximately 100 policemen) of the 
Central Reserve Police Forces are operational in Orissa.  Of 
those, 26 companies are currently deployed in Kandhamal. 
Sarangi also confirmed that three companies of the Rapid Action 
Force are deployed in Kandhamal. 
 
¶5. (SBU) According to press reports, on September 28 home-made 
bombs were thrown into Christian relief camps without any loss 
of life.  Police officials claimed that the attacks were 
intended to create fear and panic.  However, on September 30 
Poloff spoke to a correspondent covering the violence in 
Rudayngi, Orissa, who claimed that the bombs were actually 
firecrackers which were thrown near the peripheries of the camps 
in an effort to scare the inhabitants. 
 
BJP Leader Advani Condemns Violence 
 
¶6. (U) The press reported that while addressing a September 28 
rally in the Christian-dominated state of Meghalaya, BJP prime 
ministerial candidate L.K. Advani condemned for the first time 
the recent attacks against Christians in Orissa.  Advani also 
assured the Archbishop of Shillong, Dominic Jala, that he would 
ask BJP-led states to ensure a cessation of religious attacks. 
 
Communal Violence with a Twist 
 
¶7. (SBU) To illustrate the complex motives of religion, caste, 
ethnicity, property ownership and language that have combined to 
spur communal violence in Orissa, there have also been reports 
that members of the Pana caste, irrespective of their religion, 
were attacked by Kandhs during the latest wave of violence.  The 
Panas' desire to convert to Christianity while retaining their 
caste identity for government set-asides bred resentment among 
the Kandhs and was used as one of the excuses for the latest 
violence (Refs A, D). However, Pana Hindus, who make up a 
significant portion of the population in some Pana villages, 
have also been attacked.  Conversely, Christian tribal Kandhs 
have been left untouched by their fellow Hindu Kandhs. 
 
KOLKATA 00000285  002.2 OF 002 
 
 
 
Are the Maoists now Involved? 
 
¶8. (SBU) Press contacts covering the violence in Orissa have 
told Poloff that it appears that Maoist (aka Naxalite) 
extremists may be taking advantage of the communal conflict and 
government attempts to protect the Christian community to 
position themselves as champions of the downtrodden against all 
whom they perceive to be oppressors -- mainly, the government 
and the police.  The same contacts also report that Maoists may 
have initiated a pre-recruitment campaign in Kandhamal.  Maoists 
in western Orissa have strong influence in several tribal areas, 
including Kandhamal, which is one of the state's poorest tribal 
districts. 
 
Comment 
 
¶9. (SBU) While the state government struggles to cope 
simultaneously with communal violence in western Orissa and 
floods in the eastern part, a new, complex trend in violence is 
emerging.  What was initially projected as a solely religious 
conflict between Hindus and Christians is now drawing strength 
from differences of caste and tribe, and from economic 
resentments about reservations for jobs.  Adding to this is a 
clear anti-establishment backlash against steps taken by the 
police.  Given this mix, it does not appear that the violence 
will cease in the near future.  The chaos will make the 
situation ripe for exploitation by the Maoists who prey on the 
grievances of the poorest and least educated groups in eastern 
India. 
PAYNE