New Delhi: On Monday, the Supreme Court directed the government of Orissa to guarantee the protection of the Christian community in the state and asked the Union Government to consult the state before taking any decision on the pulling out of paramilitary forces.

Headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan, the Bench passed the order after Colin Gonsalves, counsel for the Cuttack Archbishop who has filed a PIL, informed the court that only "deceptive calm" was prevailing in Kandhmal district where anti-Christian violence occurred in August, September last year.

It may be here recalled that the Union government has planned to withdraw the forces in the state by January 15.

Gonsalves said the Orissa government was offering only Rs 40 lakh for the reconstruction of about 140 damaged churches, against the estimated cost of Rs 6 crore. Also, the state was refusing compensation to several churches, which were 30-50 years old, raising questions on the ownership of the land. Appearing for the state government, Counsel KK Venugopal said the churches should not be reconstructed on government or forest land. The court has been monitoring the law and order situation in Orissa since the violence erupted in the wake of assassination of Swami Laxmanananda Saraswati, a VHP leader and head of a local 'mutt'.

Venugopal agreed with the petitioner that the situation in the state was sensitive.

Justice Katju told Mr. Venugopal: "You [State] had failed in your duty to protect minorities." When counsel maintained that necessary action was taken, he said, "You had done it much later after 50,000 Christians fled to the jungles. You can't run your government like this. We can't tolerate persecution of minorities. If your government is unable to protect Christians, you better resign. We are a secular country and no minority should feel insecure in our country."

Earlier on October 22 last year, the court directed that paramilitary forces be stationed in the riot-hit areas till December-end in view of Christmas.