Lawyers for CBI inquiry in Orissa killings

CHANDIGARH, Sept 6: In a memorandum addressed to the President of India, Lawyers For Human Rights, a local body of lawyers has strongly condemned the recent spate of attacks on minorities and demanded a CBI inquiry into them.

The memorandum averred that quot;so-called nationalist forcesquot; have now targeted Christians who have always been involved in works of charity. These acts of barbarism are a result of some kind of inferiority complex, it stated. The memorandum referred to the murder of a Christian missionary and his sons, followed by the killing of a Muslim trader, Sheikh Rehman, and the slaying of Roman Catholic priest Arul Doss. quot;If such incidents of violence go unchecked, minorities will not feel safe in the country,quot; the memorandum stated.

Stressing the need to put an end to fanatism, the members of the body have demanded that matter be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation. The memorandum was issued here today by the organisation8217;s general secretary, Navkiran Singh.

Bar members abstain from work
In an emergency meeting of the District Bar Association held here in the District Courts premises today, it was unanimously resolved that members of the association will abstain from work for today.

The resolution was adopted here on account of the appeal made by the members of Ludhiana and Patiala Bar associations who are fighting on the issue of chambers. The members of the UT Bar Association called off the work as a sign of solidarity with fellow members in the above-said districts.