Bhubaneswar, September 28: Swami Laxamananda Saraswati, a VHP functionary whose murder triggered violence in Orissa”s Kandhamal district, was facing threat from rival groups and was provided with security by the state, a top police offical said today. “The threat perception was in view of his Hindu assertive activities and the reaction such activities evoked from rival groups.
Accordingly, Saraswati was provided an armed personal security officer (PSO),” Director General of Police Manmohan Praharaj said. This was conveyed by Praharaj to a commission of inquiry probing the killing of the VHP leader and the violence in its aftermath.
“Saraswati was taking up causes like protection of cows, opposing conversion and spreading vedic education from his ashram at Chakapada and Jalespeta in Kandhamal district,” he said in an affidavit. “Saraswati”s opposition to cow slaughter and conversion created tension and clashes between his supporters and rival groups,” Praharaj said.
Praharaj said “allegation of conversion and the sharp reaction it evoked from assertive Hindu groups in the backdrop of enthno-communal divide used to cause law and order problem.” The State Level Security Committee had decided to provide security to Saraswati on October 29, 2003, the DGP said.
—PTI–