``I can say this from my 20 years of association with Staines'', Das, who has been working in the Mayurbhanj Leprosy Home run by Evangelical Missionary Society of Mayurbhanj, told the Commission. Staines always tried his best to avoid religious festivals of non-Christians even when he was invited by his friends and would also refuse the prasad, Das added.

Replying to queries by the Commission, Das said he had heard about the jungle camps but was not aware of the camp organised at Manoharpur. Staines would never disclose the places he was visiting and would not divulge anything about the jungle camps, he said, adding that the jungle camps were known only to the Christians. Maintaining that Staines was very secretive about his activities, Das said the formerwould not entrust any responsibility to any other person even if he went on long leave to Australia.

Meanwhile, in his deposition, Debendra Mahanta, a cultivator of Kumurabahadi, said that Dara Singh accompanied by one Dipu Das had came to his house on January 23 between 10.30 am and 11 am and asked for food. Dara had told him that he had come after finishing a job which he was assigned, however, not elaborating on the nature of the job.

After consuming their meals, Dara and Dipu headed for Gopinathpur, Mahanta said adding that he had not seen him after January 23.

Claiming to be a member of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), Mahanta said that he saw Dara for the first time at an RSS camp at Karanjia two years ago. Dara had also visited his house several times before the incident, he added.

Among others who deposed before the Commission were Baisnab Charan Biswal, Scientific Officer of the District Forensic Laboratory, Keonjhar, Satya Soren, Nishikant Hembram, Madhusudan Marandi and Nimain Hansda.