Centre favours CBI probe into Orissa communal violence

He, however, said it was for the state government to recommend a probe by the Central investigating agency as the Centre could not do it on its own.

Describing the incidents as a matter of grave concern to the Centre, he said, 8220;the Prime Minister, in fact, spoke to the Chief Minister and the Governor and assured the state government it would give whatever help needed to bring back normalcy8221;.

Sibal said this kind of 8220;senseless destruction by individuals belonging to a particular organisation shall not be tolerated8221;.

Asserting that the Centre was committed to secularism, he said, 8220;there shall be no dilution in that commitment.8221;

He hoped that Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik would take strong measures to bring back normalcy and ensure quick justice to the victims and rehabilitate them.

Sibal said it was 8220;worrisome8221; that over 2,000 houses have been destroyed in the continuing violence.

Asked repeatedly whether Bajrang Dal would be banned as it activists were caught making bombs, he parried a direct reply saying it was a very serious situation and communal elements were responsible for it.