VHP rejects Maoists' Swami murder claim

A prominent Maoist leader, Sabyasachi Panda, has claimed responsibility for the murder of VHP swami Laxmanand Saraswati, which triggered large-scale flare-ups against Christians in Orissa's Kandhamal district. Speaking from an undisclosed location, Panda told local TV channels, his outfit killed Saraswati because he was spreading "social unrest". VHP, however, has rejected the claim saying Naxals don't have a religious agenda.