Kandhamal, (Fast News Odisha): It has been 17 years since the murder of Sami Laxmanananda Saraswati. On August 23, 2008, when Swamiji went to Jaleshpata Ashram in Kandhamal to celebrate Jannastami, more than 40 gunmen opened fire, killing Swamiji and four of his followers. In the ensuing communal violence, more than 35 people lost their lives and hundreds of homes were burnt to ashes. But Swamiji has not been given justice in this shocking incident which has stunned the entire state. The investigation report of the gruesome murder has not been made public. When the seasonal session of the Legislative Assembly begins on the 18th, the entire state is watching whether the investigation report, which has been lying in the state law department since 2015, will be presented in the house or not. While sitting in the opposition seats, the BJP has been constantly demanding that this report be presented in the assembly. But since more than a year has passed since he came to power, the murder report of Samiji has not been made public. The government is talking about the fact that the investigation report of the commission is being evaluated. The biggest question now is when will this report come to the assembly and the people of Odisha will know the truth of the incident. Participating in a rally organized in Bhubaneswar in memory of Samiji on August 16, state BJP president Manmohan Samal said that the investigation report is being compiled by the law department. The government will take action at the appropriate time. Even on behalf of the Sadhusant Samaj, who had organized a rally that day, they called the government to find Samuji’s killers. During the Tirodhan Day program organized at Kandhamal Jaleshpata and Chakkapad ashrams on Jannastami, inmates and devotees expressed their displeasure over the fact that the investigation report has not been made public till now. Therefore, many people cannot easily accept the report in the name of Tarzma. Especially the supporters who were arrested and jailed by the BJJ government for agitating for Samiji’s justice at that time have raised the question that when will the double engine government of the BJP do justice.
Report by Sanjay Kumar Manigarahi from Kandhamal District, Fast News Odisha l