KANDHAMAL-SECURITY 2LAST

On the day of the killing, Kanodia said a police officer
from nearby Tumudibandha police station had held discussion
with Saraswati on the necessity of augmenting security in view
of a threat letter from one "Pahadi Brunda".

"He (the police officer) had asked Saraswati to allow
deployment of armed police personnel inside the ashram.
Unfortunately Saraswati flatly turned down the proposal.

"He took the whole matter in a very casual manner and
avoided further discussion over it," Kanodia said, adding that
though adequate security arrangements were made for protection
of Saraswati, those were not sufficient to repeal a Maoist
attack.

Replying to a question, the former SP said the Personal
Security Officer (PSO) attached to Saraswati was not present
when the attackers sprayed bullets on the monk and others at
Jalespeta ashram.

"Had I been allowed to continue in Kandhamal, with my
background and experience, I could have tackled the situation
in the shortest possible time as I did during the month of
January, 2008 immediately after joining," he told the
commission while replying a question on the police action in
the aftermath of killing.

About 40 people were killed and many houses and churches
were burnt in the ethno-communal violence in Kandhamal in the
aftermath of the killing of Saraswati. PTI