What is the basis of your claim that it was the handiwork of theBajrang Dal?
People at Manoharpur (where it happened) told me that those who came to committ this crime shouted ``Bajrang Dal ki jai.''

Does the Bajrang Dal have a base there?
The Bajrang Dal is working there. There are several cases against its activists in that area. There are cases of intimidating cattle traders, torching trucks carrying cattle and terrorising the minorities particularly. There are many cases against them, particularly against the prime accused, Dara Singh. In one case, the local MP, who belongs to the BJP, along with his workers, demanded before a police station that Dara Singh should be released.

When was this?
I don't remember exactly but can find out the details if you want.

Was he released on the MP's demand?
I don't think so. He was arrested and was in the jail for two months or so. There are several cases where the witnesses have said that this man belongs to the Bajrang Dal.

Was there a move at one stage to book him under the NationalSecurity Act (NSA)?
Yes, but he got scent of it. We did contemplate to get him arrested under NSA. It is very difficult because he operates in the border areas of Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts and has befriended many Mahanta families, distributing cattle and looted properties among them creating a Robinhood image. So whenever he found there was a problem, he went hiding in their houses.

Manoharpur is not an isolated incident of religious fanaticism. Two months ago, there was a carnage at R Udaygiri in Gajapati district. And in both the cases the intelligence has admittedly failed.
These are two different issues. In the case of R Udaygiri, it was not an attack on any particular community. It is not a question of conflict between Hindus and Christians. The tribals killed two local miscreants, one of whom was a Hindu.

How about Manoharpur? Was there any intelligence report?
The annual conference of Christian tribals takes place every year and passes of. People meet, discuss andgo away. Police never apprehended there would any trouble. Nor did the villagers.

There is also a feeling that the administration is not taking any action on the intelligence reports.
That is wrong. All intelligence reports are taken note of.

Has the administration identified sensitive areas in the state?
Sensitive areas are there where people belonging to minority communities live. Some problems also exists between the minority community and other communities.

What is your reaction to the call given by Prime Minister A.B. Vajpayee for a national debate on conversion?
The laws of the land are very clear. I don't think any debate on the issue is necessary. The Constitution gives freedom to every citizen to practise any religion. If one feels, he can change from one to another religion. Forcible conversion has been totally banned. Orissa also has Freedom of Religion Act, 1967 according to which conversion by force or enticement is punishable.

Don't you think that allegedgangrape of Anjana Mishra and the Manoharpur incident have shown your government in poor light?
Gangrape is despicable. I have condemned this incident and have taken all steps to apprehend the culprits. We don't belittle any incident. But I don't think one gangrape and one murder sum up the law-and-order situation in the state.

Don't you feel that the state failed to protect Anjana Misra?
The judicial inquiry will find this out.

Is her charge against you politically motivated?
Is there any doubt? Some ambitious political adversaries of mine think that such allegations against me are enough to replace me.

But did you not not try to shield former advocate general Indrajit Ray when Anjana levelled charges of molestation against him?
That again is not true. I had maintained that a person should not be removed from his office on the basis of some allegations made against him.

Why are sex-related charges are always levelled against you?
Because some frustratedindividuals are out to malign me. Don't you remember, The Illustrated Weekly of India had to tender an unqualified apology to me.

Your dissident cabinet colleagues, including Deputy Chief Minister Basant Kumar Biswal, have complained to the Congress High Command that the party's image has taken a severe beating with you as the Chief Minister? Have they not demanded your removal?
I don't know what they have said or demanded. Congress President and the AICC General secretary in charge of Orissa are well aware of the situation in the state.

Is your position safe?
(laughs). Why? Do you have any doubt?

Are you going to take action against the dissident ministers?
I can't discuss this with you.