Don't allow EU team to visit Kandhamal: VHP

Demanding immediate withdrawal of the permission given to a diplomatic delegation from European Union to visit Orissa's riot-hit Kandhamal, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad on Sunday said the trip could trigger fresh tension in the district.

"The proposed visit of the EU delegation should be cancelled forthwith and the Orissa government must withdraw the permission granted for the purpose," said VHP state secretary Gouri Kumar Rath.

Maintaining that peace had returned to the tribal dominated district after prolonged violence, following the killing of VHP leader Laxmanananda Swaraswati, he said the visit would only spark off fresh tension in the region.

"Outside elements have no business to study the situation in any part of the country as it is the responsibility of our government to deal with the problem," Rath said.

The VHP leader's demand came as an EU diplomatic delegation is slated to visit Kandhamal between February 2 and February 5.

"They are likely to come here to know for themselves the situation in Kandhamal," Archbishop Raphael Cheenath said.

Besides visiting the riot-hit district, the diplomats will also meet Chief Secretary T K Mishra and Home Secretary A P Padhy, he said.

At least 38 people were killed and hundreds of houses damaged in the riots, which took place in the aftermath of VHP leader Laxmananada Saraswati's killing on August 23, 2008 in Kandhamal.

The state government has attached a condition to the visit by stating that the diplomats may interact with the riot-affected people, but not undertake any fact finding mission.