Date:29/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/29/stories/2008082961111500.htm

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Attacks continue, Kandhamal district tense

Prafulla Das

Institutions run by Christian missionary organisations remain closed in most parts of Orissa

— Photos: PTI

A house that was damaged after a communal clash at Piringa village in Kandhamal on Thursday. (Right) A woman sits near her burnt house after a clash.

BHUBANESWAR: Attacks on prayer houses and villages and hamlets with a Christian majority continued in Kandhamal district of Orissa on Thursday. The violence had been sparked off by the killing of VHP leader Swami Lakshmanananda.

According to reports, thousands of Christians had fled their homes. While some had taken shelter in relief camps opened by the administration many were hiding in forests.

Though no violence was reported from other districts, schools and institutions run by missionary organisations remained closed in most parts of the State.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik admitted in the Assembly that things were still not normal in Kandhamal. After Opposition parties stalled proceedings by staging a dharna in the well of the House till afternoon, Mr. Patnaik made a statement saying that “the situation in all the districts of the State other than Kandhamal is under control.”

Mr. Patnaik claimed that the situation was returning to normality fast.

Official sources, however, said there had been some improvement in the law and order situation only in areas where curfew was in force. Far-flung areas without proper roads witnessed violence. In some places protesters laid trees across roads to block access, they said. Reports about incidents in inaccessible forest areas were not reaching the outside world.

Curfew continued to remain in force in Phulbani town, Baliguda, Tumudibandha, Barakhama, Raikia, G.Udayagiri, Daringibadi and Tikabali and other sensitive areas, Mr. Patnaik said. Prohibitory orders under Section 144 Cr.PC were in force throughout Kandhamal district.

Police forces had been deployed in all sensitive places. Intensive patrolling and flag marches were being conducted to ensure peace, the Chief Minister said.

Peace committee meetings had been held in troubled areas and appeals had been made to people to maintain communal harmony.

Free kitchen and relief camps were operating in six block areas, where riot-affected people were being accommodated with adequate police protection.

So far 11 criminal cases had been registered in different police stations of Kandhamal relating to murder, arson and rioting, Mr. Patnaik said. As many as 85 criminal cases had been registered throughout the State and 167 persons had been arrested so far.

Although the unconfirmed death toll remained unchanged at 14 till Thursday evening, Mr. Patnaik said 10 persons had been killed in the State in various incidents in the aftermath of the murder of the Swami and four others on August 23.