27. Killing of Ranjen Singh during Firing by Security Forces at Indo-Bangla Border, Malda, West Bengal (Case No. 128/25/1998-1999-AD) 6.102 On receiving a complaint from the Association for Protection of Democratic Rights, Malda, regarding the killing of an Indian national at the Indo-Bangla border by the security forces and subsequent tampering with the dead body in order to destroy evidence of identity, the Commission called for a report from the Ministry of Home Affairs. 6.103 The Enquiry report of Commandant of 11 BN BSF revealed that victim Ranjen Singh hailed from village Morcha. He was killed by the security forces in exercise of the right of self-defence at the Indo-Bangla border near village Kistopur which is situated at a distance of 82 kms. from village Morcha. Thus, on careful examination of the report submitted by the Commandant of the 11 BN BSF, the Commission is of the opinion that "the Observation Team which was involved in the incident cannot be exonerated. It is not the case of any one that the deceased or any of his companions was having a fire arm. According to the report they only had a sharp-edged weapon. So there was perhaps no need to open fire and the miscreants could have been otherwise captured. Even if the plea of self-defence is taken to be true, there could be no justification for tampering with the dead body and erasure of the tattooed name from its wrist. Erasure of the tattoo-mark amounted to violation of the dignity of the dead.” 6.104 Considering all the circumstances, the Commission was convinced that the Ministry of Home Affairs must compensate the family of the deceased Ranjen Singh. The Commission therefore directed the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, to pay an amount of Rs. 3,00,000 as monetary relief to the next of kin of the deceased Ranjen Singh. The Ministry of Home Affairs informed the Commission that the sanction for the payment had been issued. However, proof of payment is awaited. e) Communal Violence 28. Violence Against Christians in Kandhamal District of Orissa (Case No 825/18/26/2007-2008 Linked File No. 923/18/26/2007-2008) 6.105 The Commission received a complaint from the spokesperson of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India (CBCI) regarding violence in the Kandhamal District of Orissa on 24 and 25 December 2007. Some churches and Christian institutions were destroyed and several houses and other properties were damaged. The CBCI stated that these attacks seemed to be a planned effort to disturb communal peace by some misguided fundamentalists and anti-social elements. The incident was highlighted by media and the Commission also received representations in the matter from many individuals and organizations, including Global Council of Indian Christians, Synodical Board of Social Services, Public Interest Legal Support Research Centre and Passion for Global Peace and World Vision. Further, the National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights also sent a representation, raising the issue of victimization and discrimination against the Pana community. 50 National Human Rights Commission