National

Violence unabated in Orissa

BHUBANESWAR: Even as the Orissa government on Monday claimed that the situation in Kandhamal was under control, incidents of communal violence were reported from the district during the day.

Those protesting against the killing of VHP leader Swami Lakshmanananda blocked the roads between Tikabali and Chakapada, and Tikabali and Baburia and burnt down at least 20 houses belonging to Christian families in two villages.

A church was vandalised at Mandasili under the Raikia block, according to sources. Incidents of burning and damaging houses were also reported from several other places in the district.

Police recovered three bodies in Kandhamal on Monday — two from Raikia and one in Tikabali.

As violence continued to be reported from interior areas of Kandhamal during the day, curfew remained in force in nine towns of the district.

The authorities set up two more relief camps on Monday as more and more Christian families who were hiding in the forests emerged, seeking help from the authorities.

In Koraput district, the situation remained tense as people pelted stones at policemen deployed in different areas of Jeypore town that witnessed a communal clash on Saturday.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who reviewed the situation at a high level meeting, told journalists that a team of senior officials, including the Director-General of Police and the Home Secretary, would visit Kandhamal on Tuesday. Mr. Patnaik said additional forces and relief materials were being sent to Kandhamal.

The government prevented political leaders and human rights activists from entering Kandhamal to assess the situation.

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