Orissa, India: November 24, 2009. (Fr. Anand Muttungal reports) To an embarrassing question raised by the CPI, Member of Orissa Legislate Assembly, Mr. Adikanda Sethy , regarding the Khandamal riots in 2008,the Chief Minister categorically said that RSS is directly involved in the riots. The MLA had placed two questions in the Assembly: (a) Will you ,(Chief Minister), mention the name of the organizations involved in the Kandhamal riot? How many workers of Vishwa Hindu Parisad and Bajranga Dal were arrested for it? (b) Will you mention the areas where the houses were burnt or destroyed during Kandhamal riot and how many persons are in jail as of now ? Replying to this question in the Orissa Assembly Chief Minister Navin Patnaik categorically said, “(a) It was revealed from the enquiry of the cases related Kandhamal riot as lodged (police stations) that RSS/VHP/Bajranga Dal workers were involved in the riot. Because of their involvement in Kandhamal riot, 85 persons of RSS, 321 persons of Vishwa Hindu Parisad and 118 persons of Bajranga Dal were arrested. (b) Areas under the Phulbani Town, Gochhapada, Khajuripada, Phulbani Sadar, Tikabali, G.Udayagiri, Raikia, Phiringia,Sarangagarh, Baliguda, Tumudibandha, Kotagarh and Daringibadi police stations the houses were burnt or destroyed and 27 persons involved in the riot are in jail till now.” To another question, the commission of inquiry probing the violence in Kandhamal after the killing of VHP leader Laxamananda Saraswati had so far received affidavits of 383 persons Christians and many secular activists have asked the Government for strict action.