Criticising the United Progressive Alliance, the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Saturday said the central government had remained a "silent spectator" even as Christians in Orissa were being targeted.

"It is almost a week since the violence against Christians started in Orissa. The central government has maintained an observer status and is allowing Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) activists to target poor people," CPI-M politburo member Brinda Karat said.

Karat, who was stopped from entering the violence-hit Kandhamal district of Orissa on Friday on security grounds said, "VHP leader Praveen Togadia was allowed to take out a funeral procession of Swami Lakshmanand, but we were stopped from entering the area."

She said she will submit victims' first-hand reports, collected by the party's Orissa unit, to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh demanding immediate action and protection of the minorities in Orissa.

"Since many areas in Orissa, including Kandhamal, are under Schedule 5 of the constitution (areas and tribes needing special protection due to disadvantageous conditions), the central government has an added responsibility," Karat said.

Karat said one more CPI-M delegation will leave for Orissa on Tuesday to take stock of the situation.

The killing of Swami Lakshmanand Saraswati, a VHP leader, and four others in Kandhamal district last Saturday had triggered communal violence, in which at least 14 people have been killed.