NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Orissa government to place by tomorrow its report relating to steps taken to protect lives of people belonging to the Christian community in riot-hit Kandhamal district. The apex court also asked the state government to put on affidavit whether any permission was granted to VHP leader Praveen Togadia for his proposed Yatra carrying the ash of slain leader Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati. A Bench headed by Chief Justice K G Balakrishnan posted the matter for further hearing for tomorrow. The petitioner, Archbishop of Cuttack Raphael Cheenath, alleged that after this matter was taken up on Tuesday , more violence was reported and a church was destroyed while around 100 families belonging to the community were completely uprooted in one of riot-hit villages. His counsel Colin Gonsalves sought a stop on the proposed yatra by Togadia saying it will further foment trouble in the area, which is witnessing a tense situation. He alleged that the state government and its police force were not cooperating and assisting the central para-military forces, including Rapid Action Force and CRPF, which was clear from the reported statement of the Commandant of the CRPF. During the hearing, Additional Solicitor General Gopal Subramaniam submitted that the Centre was keeping a close watch on the situation and the Home Minister along with a delegation has left for Orissa this morning to assess the situation.
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