Police believe they have arrested the man responsible for making telephone calls threatening to kill managers of a Hindu monastery in a village that was the flashpoint for the 2008 anti-Christian violence.

Armed police have been deployed to keep the peace while a special investigation team tries to get to the bottom of the matter.

The murder of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, founder of the monestary  in Jalespate village, by Maoists in August 2008 sparked the violence against Christians across the state that killed some 100 people and displaced more than 50,000.

It has just been revealed that police on Aug. 21 arrested two disciples of Laxmanananda Saraswati, former employees of the residential school, for making the threats.

The calls, reportedly made in mid-August, demanded the managers to run the monastery and its adjoining school “properly” or face “the fate” of Laxmanananda Saraswati.

Paul Pradhan, a Christian tribal leader in the area, said tensions had risen after reports of the calls were made public. He said Christians fear another  another backlash.

“Christians have already suffered too much through no fault of theirs,” Pradhan said recalling that Christians were attacked despite Maoists claiming responsibility for gunning down Laxmanananda Saraswati.

The government should take strict action against people “who spread rumors and hate, as well as those who use these to create enmity and cause violence,” he said.

The investigator, Abhimanyu Nayak, described the incident as a  “mischief call”.  He said there was no sectarian motive.

Swarupananda Patro, president of Orissa Minority Forum, said “there was panic among the minorities (Christians) following the threat calls. There is huge sense of relief as the conspiracy came to the light,” he said.

Bishop Sarat Chandra Nayak of Berhampur told ucanews.com Sept. 4 that the arrest has “averted yet another tragedy.”

He wanted the state to “look beyond the disgruntlements and rivalries” among followers of Saraswati to ensure that “Christian community do not fall prey to fanatic designs.”

Related reports
Orissa Christians face ongoing Hindu attacks
Justice, peace elusive for Orissa victims

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